The American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO) has solicited a jobs grant from the Jefferson County Commission, according to the agenda for the Thursday, Jan. 8 meeting.

The project on which ACIPCO is seeking help from the county would:

replace existing furnaces with greener induction furnaces
create a new lining and coating facility
add new casting machines
establish a new employee center

The estimated capital investment is more than $793 million, the project summary shows. 80 jobs would be created with an estimated wage of $55 per hour.

Investing in Birmingham

ACIPCO’s project, which they have dubbed “AMERICAN for Life 2030,” is intended to solidify the company’s investment in Birmingham.

“We’ve been at the same place on the north side of Birmingham …We do all sorts of other things around the country but … we want to stay in Birmingham and reinvest in Birmingham.”
John Hagelskamp, senior vice president of sales at ACIPCO

The average annual earnings for the new, full-time employees would come in at about $114,000, “which will result in additional sales and use taxes, business license taxes, ad valorem taxes, and other benefits for the county,” the agenda packet says.

Jefferson County’s economic incentives will total $320,000, given ACIPCO completes the project and makes the expected capital investment.

The commission is expected to enter into the agreement at the Thursday, Jan. 8 meeting, commission Economic Development Advisor Jeff Traywick said.

“The biggest benefit which I am most excited about is that the new technology they are switching to will reduce their emission by over 90%. This is a huge benefit for the neighborhood and the surrounding area.”

Traywick said another large project should be on the next meeting’s agenda. The ACIPCO project in addition to the unannounced project would result in $814,584,500 in new investment and 160 jobs.

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