Medical care company moving to Alabaster

Published 3:05 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Columbus, Ohio company has purchased a 13.8-acre site at Shelby West Corporate Park in Alabaster to construct a distribution center that will house an international medical care company.

Spartan Logistics will construct a 121,000 square-foot distribution center that will result in at least 65 jobs, an annual payroll of more than $2.7 million and a capital investment exceeding $7 million, said James Dedes, executive director of the Shelby County Economic and Industrial Development Authority.

Dedes said the medical company moving to Shelby West wishes to remain anonymous until the project nears completion.

“This company will create good jobs and be a valuable corporate citizen to the community,” Dedes said. “We look forward to working with this company as they grow and create additional skilled jobs in the vital healthcare sector.”

The Alabaster Industrial Development Board approved approximately $450,000 in incentives for the project, including an abatement of sales tax on construction materials and a four-year abatement of the non-education portion of property taxes.

Ed Harmon, president of Spartan Logistics, expressed his appreciation for the “responsiveness and assistance provided by the local governments in Shelby County.”

Harmon anticipates completing the center by February 2010. Logan Creek Construction, an affiliate of Spartan Logistics, began site preparations in April.

Steve Harmon, chief financial officer of the Spartan group of companies, also complimented Shelby County officials for their cooperation.

“This is a very different debt and equity market in which to make this type of investment, but when you find a great location like this and have a great tenant, assistance from local leaders and a great local lender, these projects can come together even in this economy,” Steve said.

According to Steve, Compass Bank will provide financing for the project.

State Rep. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), executive director of the Alabaster Industrial Development Board, said the project illustrates how well county and municipal governments can work together to achieve goals.

“I think this project is another example of how strong relationships between Shelby County and the city of Alabaster are making a positive impact on our economy,” Ward said.