By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, May 23, Farmers Home Furniture announced plans to locate a $10 million new distribution center in the Russellville Industrial Park. The 325,000 square-foot facility will create 80 new jobs in Franklin County.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said in a statement, “Farmers Furniture operates a growing network of retail stores, and I welcome their decision to open a distribution center in Franklin County, allowing the business to continue to grow. Creating jobs for Alabama citizens is my top priority, and I am grateful for the new jobs and the significant investment that Farmers is bringing to northwest Alabama.”
US Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) said in a statement, “Great news for Alabama. Farmers Home Furniture announced plans today to invest $10 million in a new distribution center in northwest Alabama, creating up to 80 jobs. This exciting development for Franklin County further highlights that our State is open for business.”
Farmers Chairman and CEO, Phillip Faircloth, said the company continues to honor founder, Sherwin Glass’ dream, “…by investing in small town America and providing opportunities to live and work in small towns.” Faircloth said, “Farmers strives to be a good citizen of every community where it invests, and being an employee-owned company, we have committed to return the benefits of our success to our employee-owners and communities. We are grateful to the State of Alabama and the City of Russellville for their support, which enabled us to expand our distribution operations here in Russellville.”
Farmers said that it determined that Franklin County was the best fit for its expansion purposes due to the availability of skilled workers and the support of the City of Russellville, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and the Franklin County Development Authority.
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield (R) said, “Farmers Home Furniture’s new distribution hub in Russellville is an important component in the company’s strategy to expand its retail footprint. This announcement reflects the company’s confidence in Alabama’s workforce and in the area’s infrastructure network.”
Russellville Mayor David Grissom said, “This new distribution center, investment and jobs created by Farmers will be a major boost to our local economy. Russellville has a long history of supporting business, and Farmers’ decision to open a distribution center here is further testament to our teamwork approach to working with business and industry.”
Since 2012, Franklin County has had five new company announcements and seven industry expansions totaling $97.8 million in capital investment and 1,105 new jobs, according to the Franklin County Development Authority.
The Executive Director of the Authority said, “Companies that locate in Franklin County, Alabama, always have successful endeavors. Farmers will be a great corporate citizen in Franklin County, and the new jobs they create will have a lasting impact on our community.”
