BRIARHAVEN, ALABAMA — Economic development officials in Briarhaven have launched an aggressive recruitment effort for a company they believe fits perfectly within the region’s advanced manufacturing strategy after learning that the company manufactures something described as advanced.
The prospect, currently operating under a confidential project name, came to the community’s attention through a consultant inquiry requesting information on sites, power capacity, workforce and incentives.
The only industry description provided was “advanced manufacturing.”
“That was really all we needed to hear,” said Economic Development Director Lauren Mitchell. “It lines up exactly with our target sectors.”
Asked what the company actually makes, Mitchell said that information remains confidential.
Asked whether she knows what it makes, she said, “Broadly.”
The project was immediately elevated in the organization’s recruitment pipeline.
Staff began assembling data on industrial sites, training programs, engineering talent and supply-chain connectivity.
A new presentation was created with the title Briarhaven: Built for Advanced Manufacturing.
The phrase “advanced” appears 34 times.
“We want them to know we understand their industry,” Mitchell said.
Exactly which industry that is remains under discussion.
Early theories among local officials have included aerospace components, battery technology, robotics, semiconductors, medical devices and “some kind of really sophisticated metal thing.”
“We know it’s not traditional manufacturing,” said County Commissioner Frank Doyle.
Asked what traditional manufacturing means, Doyle said, “You know. Regular manufacturing.”
The project consultant has requested confidentiality, limiting the information available to elected officials.
That has not reduced enthusiasm.
At Tuesday’s county commission meeting, one member described the prospect as “potentially transformational.”
Another called it “the kind of next-generation company we need.”
Neither could identify the product.
Officials say the company’s interest validates the region’s decision to target advanced manufacturing in its strategic plan.
The sector was selected because of its high wages, capital investment and potential for growth.
It was also broad enough to include a significant number of companies.
“That flexibility is one of its strengths,” Mitchell said.
Local workforce partners are already preparing.
The technical college has offered to develop customized training once officials learn what employees would need to be trained to do.
“We can move quickly,” said College President Angela Reeves. “As soon as somebody tells us what the jobs are.”
The utility company has also been asked to evaluate capacity for the project.
The prospect indicated that power requirements could be significant.
“How significant?” asked one utility representative.
“Advanced-manufacturing significant,” Mitchell replied.
A follow-up call has been scheduled.
The project has also created debate over which available industrial property best fits the company.
One site offers abundant acreage.
Another has stronger power infrastructure.
A third is rail-served.
Officials do not know whether the company needs rail.
“We’re including it anyway,” Mitchell said. “Advanced companies like options.”
Marketing staff have begun researching the company’s sector based on clues in the request for information.
One clue referenced clean-room space.
Another mentioned specialized gases.
A third asked about heavy truck access.
These details narrowed the possibilities to what staff described as “several hundred industries.”
“We’re getting closer,” said Project Manager Daniel Price.
The community has also begun identifying potential suppliers.
This effort has been complicated by not knowing what inputs the company uses.
Staff therefore created a list of regional suppliers capable of producing metals, plastics, electronics, packaging, chemicals and other things that advanced manufacturers may potentially require.
“We’re covering the ecosystem,” Price said.
The prospect is expected to narrow its search within several weeks.
Briarhaven officials say they are confident the community can meet the company’s needs.
“We have the sites. We have the workforce. We have the infrastructure,” Mitchell said. “Whatever this company does, we are prepared to support it.”
Asked whether that remains true if the company manufactures something extremely specialized, Mitchell paused.
“That’s where partnerships come in.”
At press time, Briarhaven had added the confidential project to its internal list of “high-priority advanced manufacturing prospects,” directly beneath another company staff recently discovered makes ordinary cardboard boxes using an unusually advanced machine.
