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AC Fabricated looks to win new contracts, put 100-plus to work "We feel good about the future," said Jerry Reeves, vice president of AC Fabricated Products of Jackson. "…We care about Clarke County and the people here." Reeves brought what he called "good news" about his plant Monday to the Clarke County Commission. There had been some concern over inactivity at the plant, said Debra Bolen, Executive Director of the Clarke County Economic Development Partnership. The building is owned by the county and has been leased to AC since 1984. In the last several months, Reeves has seen an upswing in the rewarding of government contracts, much better than in the last few years. "We have several very large and long term contracts that have been bid," he said. "We expect in the next two to three weeks to see an award, which will put 100-plus people back in the plant here. "…They are all competitive bids, but we bid very aggressively. We feel very comfortable that we've got a good shot. "…At the same time, we are maintaining, even though you don't see the cars, 54 people on payroll," Reeves said. "We're paying their benefits…even though they are not at the plant. Those will be the first core group that we call back. "The first contract that we expect a reward on is a three-year contract with a follow-up of one or two more five-year contracts on top of that." He said he did not run the area facility anymore but rather was responsible for all the company contracts. "I spend a lot of time back and forth from Washington, and in Philadelphia, where the contracts are actually let." Reeves hopes to bring back a contract on April 15. "We're that close to this next contract. "…Our biggest problem in the next 12 months is going to be…a hard time finding enough people to put in that facility. That's a good problem to have." There may be a need for additional facilities to house components in, Reeves said. There is also a facility in Washington that can be used. "We have a crew right now that is aligning the interior of our plant. As the product changes, you have to change the way you build it." In other action from Monday's meeting, Bolen reminded the commission that there were five positions on the County Industrial Development Board that needed to be filled. Two positions expired in 2007, and three expired in February of this year. Actually, the board is supposed to have nine members, she said. The slots for a representative for both Grove Hill and Fulton have been vacant for some time and need to be selected to bring the board to full strength. Each board is to be appointed by the county commission for a sixyear term, and the terms are staggered. The current board includes Rick Harvey, Grady Bedwell, Tyrone Moye, Peggy Armstead, Sam Shields, Robert Clarke and Edmon McKinley. "The people in the expired terms, by law, serve until their successors are appointed," said County Attorney Bruce Wilson. A meeting of the board was held last week, Bolen said. There is some confusion over whether the present board members represent a county district or municipality. The board was established when there was only four commission districts in the county, Bolen said. Commissioner Elma Averett suggested that the board be expanded to 10 so all five commission districts and all five municipalities would be represented. The article of incorporation of the board will have to be amended to add an additional board member, Wilson said. "(Such a proposal) will probably have to come from the industrial board to the commission and the commission approve it," he added.
Commissioner Paul Bradford asked Tuesday that any appointment or reappointment to the board be tabled until more information can be gathered. Bradford would like to see appointments made where the commission will know exactly what area of the county the specific members represent.
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