Helix Electric to invest $45.3 million in Jackson County manufacturing facility

A $45.3 million manufacturing project in Jackson County is expected to create 160 jobs in its first phase, with local officials pointing to nearby career and technical education programs as a source of workers for the new facility.

California-based Helix Electric broke ground Tuesday on an advanced fabrication campus in Hollywood, where the company plans to manufacture prefabricated electrical components and modular assemblies used in construction and industrial projects.

The project places an industrial employer next to the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy, a Jackson County school that provides career and technical education. Company representatives have identified the school’s workforce training programs as one factor in the decision to locate in the community.

The first phase is expected to take just under two years to complete. Helix Electric plans to develop the campus in three phases, with the overall facility expected to reach approximately 1.2 million square feet as the project expands.

Governor Kay Ivey announced the project Tuesday, describing it as an investment in the state’s workforce and business climate. The governor’s office said the facility will allow Helix Electric to expand its manufacturing capabilities and establish a presence closer to its existing teams and East Coast customers.

“This project represents meaningful opportunities for Alabama families and continued momentum for economic growth in the region. We are grateful to Helix Electric for choosing Alabama and for the confidence the company has placed in Jackson County. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on the region for years to come,” Ivey said.

The company’s products will include underground duct banks, duct bank risers, hangers, electrical devices and modular electrical skids. Those components are used in larger construction and industrial projects, giving the facility a role in supplying electrical infrastructure rather than manufacturing finished consumer products.

Local, state and regional economic development organizations collaborated on the effort, including the Jackson County Economic Development Authority, Alabama Department of Commerce, Tennessee Valley Authority and North Alabama Electric Cooperative.

At the nearby career academy, students can pursue technical training intended to prepare them for employment after high school. The new facility could provide another local option for students seeking careers in electrical and industrial work without leaving the area.

Jackson County has identified workforce development as part of its broader industrial recruitment strategy. In its county resiliency plan, local officials noted that manufacturing already accounts for a substantial share of employment among residents, many of whom commute to jobs outside the county. The plan also identified infrastructure limitations, a relatively low labor force participation rate and a shortage of available industrial buildings as challenges to future growth.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair said the investment could also create opportunities for local contractors and suppliers and generate additional economic activity for nearby businesses.

“Just as importantly, projects like this help position Jackson County for long-term success by expanding economic opportunity and creating new pathways for residents to build rewarding careers closer to home,” McNair said.