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The City of Florala celebrated Monday with the official announcement that Sims Bark will build its latest mulch and soil manufacturer facility in the city, bringing with it 40 new jobs.

With city, county and state officials in attendance, Andy Johnson of Sims Bark said Florala was chosen for the new facility based on its location and land availability, strategically placed between I-65 and I-10.

Work on the facility is already underway with a previously-planned formal announcement canceled due to snow in January. Sims Bark purchased a peanut field, moved half a million yards of dirt to prepare the site and recently started pouring concrete that will support its equipment. The company will soon transition to a second phase of construction, which is estimated to take about two years to complete and make it fully operational.

The site is the eleventh for Sims Bark, which also has facilities in Tuscumbia, Alabama; Brent, Alabama; and Sylacauga, Alabama; as well as others in Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

“I’ve been all over the eastern part of the country doing this and by far this has been the most pleasant, easy process that I’ve experienced,” said Andy Johnson, who serves as the company’s vice president of operations. “I just want to express my appreciation to all of you for helping this along. We look forward to growing within the community.”

Among the products produced by Sims Bark is bagged mulch, which is sold at retail chains like Lowe’s. The family-owned business began in 1974.

Florala Mayor Gayle Robbins said Sims Bark’s decision to locate in the city is great news for the city.

“This is a great time for the City of Florala,” Robbins said. “We appreciate the efforts of our Covington County Economic Development Commission and I am personally appreciative of the friendship and the leadership the commission has provided to me as mayor in helping us pursue economic development opportunities for Florala.”

CCEDC Vice President Jacob Morgan, who led the recruitment process for Sims Bark, said working with company’s leaders was a unique experience, especially in how quickly the project moved forward.

“A lot of these projects take a lot of time, even up to two, three, four years in the works,” Morgan said. “I got a text from (Johnson) on Oct. 31 and that’s how quick this project turned around. They were ready to do what they do and thankfully we were able work with them and find a beautiful site in the industrial park. Sims Bark will make a tremendous difference in our community and I know they will build something here that our people can be proud of and can depend on.”

Morgan added that Sims Bark will ultimately be a valuable partner to other local companies, especially those that provide raw materials for their products.

“Sims Bark is a great example of how businesses can’t operate in a vacuum,” Morgan said. “This company’s presence in Florala will benefit countless businesses in the area. These partnerships will only make companies in the region stronger and more resilient. Its presence will have multiple positive ripple effects in the region.”

CCEDC President and CEO Rick Clifton added, “We’re happy that Sims Bark saw the value of opening a facility in Florala and we intend to support its growth efforts,” Clifton said. “By opening doors for new businesses, we can ensure they have a smoother expansion into the region, which will also help Covington County grow.”

Sims Bark’s Florala location will allow the company to supply mulch to any Lowe’s or similar home improvement store south of Montgomery and across the Florida Panhandle. It’s location in Tuscumbia will supply those retail stores across the northern part of the state.

In addition to mulch, Sims Bark provides soil and landscape rocks.

Also welcoming Sims Bark to Florala was County Commission Chairman Michael Smith.

“This is very welcomed news for Florala and our county. This is the biggest project to come here in quite a few years. The commission is proud to have been a part of it. It’s very exciting for us to have Sims Bark coming to Covington County and I appreciate all the hard work that has been put into it,” Smith said.

Mayor Robbins concluded the ceremony by inviting Johnson, and his wife Kim Johnson, to become Florala High School fans with the presentation of Wildcat caps.

“It is a pleasure to welcome you to Florala. We appreciate Sims Bark building here and helping to strengthen our community,” Robbins said.