Elba will be the home to a $5 million electrical transformer facility that will specifically repair and recycle the transformers.

“On behalf of the citizens of Elba we are thrilled to have a new corporate citizen in Sunbelt Solomon,” Mayor Tom Maddox said. “The investment and jobs that will be provided bring a great deal of energy and excitement to our community. I also want to thank the Wiregrass Economic Development Corp. for short-term use of the business incubator while the Elba location is renovated.”

Gov. Kay Ivey said Sunbelt Solomon Services, a global, large scale producer of commercial and industrial electric equipment, is planning to hire 50 employees and is expecting the number of employees to grow as operations do.

“Sunbelt Solomon is a welcome addition to Alabama’s dynamic business community,” said  Ivey. “The company has made a great choice by locating this new operation in Coffee County, and I know the hard-working people of Elba will help make it a long-lasting success.”

Sunbelt Solomon Services CEO Gus Cedeño discussed the new facility.

“Elba is the first greenfield facility we’ve built in several years, reaffirming our strategy of getting closer to our customer base while developing the human capital wherever we operate,” he said. “Sunbelt Solomon is excited to provide new, well-paying jobs and career paths to the Elba community while continuing the growth and expansion of our business.

“We are committed to an excellent customer experience and expanding our footprint in Alabama brings us closer to many of our valuable customers, increasing our ability to provide fast and dependable services.”

Jesse Quillen, executive director of the Wiregrass Economic Development Corp., discussed the impact that Sunbelt Solomon’s investment project will have on Coffee County.

“The new jobs, new capital investment and new energy provided by Sunbelt Solomon are all incredibly important and attractive for Elba citizens But, I believe the most important and welcome attribute that Sunbelt Solomon brings to Elba is its tremendous corporate culture, as exhibited throughout this process,” said Quillen. “Sunbelt Solomon’s corporate culture will be a perfect fit in Elba.”

Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, was pleased that Sunbelt Solomon recognized the potential Alabama has to offer businesses.

“Growing companies like Sunbelt Solomon are discovering that Alabama offers abundant opportunities that will help them expand the scope of their operations,” Canfield said. “I look forward to seeing Sunbelt Solomon put down roots in Elba and watching this operation thrive.”

In addition to opening the Elba facility, Sunbelt Solomon bought Holland Industrial Services in Bay Minette.

Cedeño said the company’s recent moves in Alabama are part of its push to expand into the Southeast.

“We’re doubling down in the state of Alabama right now,” said Cedeño. “These two substantial investments in Alabama we trust are clear signs to our customer service commitment in the Southeast for our utility, renewable, oil and gas, commercial, and industrial customers.”

The new branch, which is scheduled to open in June, will offer positions that can earn wages from $18 an hour to $37 an hour. The average wage at the new facility will be 45% higher than the annual salary for manufacturing roles in Coffee County according to the Alabama Department of Labor.

Sunbelt Solomon was founded in 2019 after a merger between Solomon Corp. and Sunbelt Transformer.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.