Opelika's Super Site
Now Luring Suppliers

A large tract of erstwhile pasture and timberland skirting I-85 on Opelika's eastern edge started catching the eyes of major foreign automakers in the mid-1990s. First, Audi gave the land a look when it was considering launching a U.S. manufacturing base, before eventually abandoning the idea. Then, Nissan got serious about the 1,300-acre (526-hectare) site during its selection process, which eventually led the company to Canton, Miss. In fact, the Opelika site was the runner-up.
        Next came Hyundai, which gave long consideration to the site before opting for Hope Hull, an unincorporated area within the city of Montgomery. Although Opelika didn't land one of these mega-projects, the public scrutiny put the city on the radar screens of industry suppliers and other companies looking for a strategic site with good Internet access.
        During the Audi search, the Opelika Industrial Development Authority was in the process of assembling the property that eventually became the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. A year ago, a new I-85 interchange gave improved access to the property.
        "We're well-positioned to attract automobile suppliers," says Jenci Spradlin, project manager for Opelika's Economic Development Department.
        The first auto industry supplier to locate in Opelika's park is Benteler Automotive Corp. of Auburn Hills, Mich. The company broke ground in January for its new 144,000-sq.-ft. (13,400-sq.-m.) facility on a 38-acre (15.4-hectare) site that includes room for expansion.
        The $20-million factory will produce chassis for the Mercedes plant in Vance and will seek business from other regional automakers. Benteler plans to complete the plant, which will employ 300, this fall.
        Benteler picked Opelika after looking at 25 cities in four Southeastern states. Other finalists were Jefferson County, Ala., and Greenville, S.C. The move to Opelika allows Benteler to be closer to its customers, says Walter Frankiewicz, president of Benteler Automotive North American Operations.
        The industrial park, which is also home to an 880,000-sq.-ft (81,750-sq.-m.) Wal-Mart regional distribution center, is adjacent to a CSX mainline and is served by both Alabama Power and Tallapoosa River Electric Cooperative.
        Opelika's mayor, Barbara H. Patton, says the new I-85 interchange (Exit 66) will make a large difference in the city's efforts to bring in more automotive suppliers.
        "We worked hard to bring that interchange here," Patton says. "The infrastructure is in place now and it's a park that's ready to go."