Andalusia Star News

This is the new site of Andalusia’s newest industry located in the industrial park. | Michele Gerlach/ Star-News

A new industry will locate in the Andalusia Industrial Park in the first quarter of 2012, employing a minimum of 50 people in a year, Mayor Earl Johnson announced in a speech to the Andalusia Rotary Club Thursday.

GreenSteel Homes, LLC, will locate in a previously unoccupied spec building in the park. The company builds architecturally-designed “green” steel homes with a completely wood-free recycled structure.

The homes are built to withstand hurricane and tornado-force winds up to 200 mph, and are engineered to withstand up to Zone 4 earthquakes.

Johnson said the city has 30 days to put together the contract and lease, and 60 days after that to get the property turned over to them.

“That should put it at about March 1,” he said.

Johnson said training will be provided for employees through the state by AIDT. Wages will average $15 per hour. The company will employ not less than 50 employees in the first year, and not less than 75 employees in their second year.

The mayor said the company looked at several communities before choosing to locate here.

“They told us there were other communities that had just as much to offer, but that they didn’t seem to have the spirit that they sensed here,” he said.

GreenSteel Homes estimates that 32 trees are saved and four recycled cars are used in one of its 1,200 square foot homes. The company offers plans ranging from 600 square feet to 2,500 square feet.