Custom Synthetic Fibers Celebrates 10 Years in The Shoals
November 5, 2026 Custom Synthetic Fibers has been a part of the Shoals since opening their Rogersville operations in 2016, providing jobs in the area for 10 years. Today, they employ approximately 65 people and play an important role in our local manufacturing industry and the Rogersville Industrial Park. Custom Synthetic Fibers operates out of an 80,000-square-foot facility in Rogersville, where they produce recycled polyester staple fibers used in several industries, including automotive and home furnishings. They produce approximately 40 million pounds of recycled polyester fiber each year, supplying materials to manufacturers across the country. Custom Synthetic Fibers focuses on producing quality recycled materials while continuing to improve its products and manufacturing processes. With years of experience in the industry,
Flexco’s Commitment to Manufacturing in The Shoals
October 23, 2026 Since beginning operations in Tuscumbia in 1949, Flexco has grown into a flooring manufacturer whose products reach customers across the United States and around the world. Today, Flexco employs approximately 300 people and continues to be an important part of The Shoals’ manufacturing industry. Flexco specializes in manufacturing rubber and vinyl flooring for a variety of commercial spaces, including hospitals, schools, gyms, and more. Flexco products can also be found at local retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. One of its unique capabilities is the ability to customize flooring to match almost any color a customer requests. Whether it’s a T-shirt, company logo, or another color sample, Flexco can work to create flooring that matches the customer’s
Shoals EDA’s Kevin Jackson Joins Alabama Leaders at Hadrian’s F2 in Torrance, CA
This month, Shoals EDA President Kevin Jackson joined 26 other leaders from across the state in California for the first-ever Alabama delegation visit to Hadrian’s F2 facility in Torrance. The visit marked an important milestone for The Shoals, giving leaders the opportunity to see Hadrian’s operations firsthand and gain a better understanding of the impact F4 will have on our region. Kevin was joined by State Representatives Kerry Underwood and Jamie Kiel, Caitlin Burns with the Shoals Chamber of Commerce, Dana McCain with Senator Katie Britt’s office, and Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair. The delegation also included representatives from Workforce Alabama, Alabama Industrial Development Training, University of Alabama, Auburn University, University of North Alabama, Northwest Shoals Community College, Tennessee
Flexco-Roppe Holding Company Now 100% Employee Owned
Headquartered here in The Shoals, Flexco has shown a strong commitment to providing flooring solutions that meet the needs and standards of its customers. Flexco has been a part of The Shoals community since 1949, working to manufacture and supply quality rubber and vinyl flooring. Today, Flexco employs approximately 260 people in The Shoals and distributes its products to all 50 states and internationally. Flexco, an extension of the Roppe Holding Company, announced on August 17th that its family of brands, known for durable flooring solutions, has become a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP structure allows the company to remain privately held and locally rooted while continuing to operate exactly as it always
Virginia Transformer Corporation Chooses The Shoals for its next Transformer Manufacturing Facility!
May 19, 2026 ROANOKE, Va.-Virginia Transformer today announced plans to build a new 600,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art power transformer plant at the Shoals Research Airpark in Colbert County, Alabama capable of producing a wide range of power transformers – from 2 MVA up to 500MVA. This additional expansion will further expand Virginia Transformer’s long-held position of having the shortest lead times in the industry for its customers and will become the Company’s seventh facility in North America. Virginia Transformer is the number one power transformer manufacturer in North America, is US-owned, and is a Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE). The new advanced manufacturing plant will be built on approximately 90 acres within the Airpark and features a dedicated Norfolk Southern rail spur
The Shoals Receives $4.5 Million from the Growing Alabama Tax Credit Program for Park Improvements!
May 6, 2026 Muscle Shoals, Ala.-The Shoals EDA was awarded $4,455,935 for site work and public infrastructure at the Shoals Research Airpark through the Growing Alabama Tax Credit Program. This grant funding will assist in the construction of a fully-functional rail spur into the Shoals Research Airpark, as well as sewer infrastructure that opens the eastern portion of the park to additional development opportunities. Of the total $20.5 million in Growing Alabama funds awarded, The Shoals received the largest Growing Alabama Credit, accounting for over 21% of total funds awarded in 2026! Prior to this award, Norfolk Southern designated The Shoals Research Airpark as a Platinum REDI Site, the top designation awarded only to select properties that meet rigorous readiness
Barton Riverfront Industrial Park to Receive Over $3 Million in SEEDS Investment
April 13, 2026 Barton, Ala.-The Shoals area continues to develop sites primed and ready for industry. Today’s check presentation of a SEEDS Act Grant award from the Alabama Department of Commerce showcases a recent project aligned with this goal. The Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA) has secured a $3,030,248 Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) site development grant from the State of Alabama. This grant will be used to acquire approximately 70 acres within the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park—creating a 131-acre contiguous site. First enacted in 2023, the SEEDS Act is a grant program designed to help accelerate the development of new economic development sites across the state. The SEEDS Act addresses the need for quality industrial ready
HADRIAN OPENS ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN ALABAMA TO SUPPORT COLUMBIA- AND VIRGINIA-CLASS SUBMARINE PRODUCTION
Secretary of the Navy Phelan, Rep. Aderholt, Rep. Rogers, Sen. Wicker, Sen. Britt, and Sen. Tuberville attend ribbon cutting of new $2.4 billion public-private facility in Cherokee, Alabama CHEROKEE, Ala., March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hadrian, the advanced manufacturing company, today opened a new facility in Cherokee, Alabama dedicated to the U.S. Navy’s Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs. Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside state and local leaders. Known as Factory 4, the Cherokee facility is an advanced, highly automated manufacturing plant that will mass-produce components needed for submarine construction, including parts, assemblies, and finished