Commissioner Ricky M. Herring

Monday was a great day for Houston County with the latest announcement with a new industrial company coming to town.

Sometimes these projects move fast, sometimes they take time.

Look at the below timeline for what has transpired over the last 6+ years:

2019 - Commissioner Ricky Herring contacts City Commissioner John Ferguson about recruiting industry down at Houston County Industrial Park off of State Line Road.

2019 - Ferguson and I met with James Brannon with Poly Engineering to talk about the Infrastructure needs for Houston County Industrial Park at the Industrial Park.

2019 - I asked Matt Parker w/ Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce how we can start recruiting Industry at the Industrial Park. After several conversations about recruiting industry, Matt Parker and Colton Cureton let me know they are trying to recruit industry, however it is difficult when the Industrial Park needs proper Infrastructure, such as water supply and sewage access.

2021 - I spoke to Ex-Chairman Mark Culver on the possibility of using American Rescue Plan Act money that we were receiving from the Federal Government to finish the 16” water line to the Industrial Park off of State Line Road. The Commission was able to put 5 million towards that project out of ARPA money.

2025 - because of inflation we were not able to complete approximately 1 mile of the water line. Chairman Brandon Shoupe and the County Commission, along with our State Delegation, was able to secure funding to finish the 16” water line to the Houston County Industrial Park.

Later part of 2025 - The Commission, our State Delegation, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Houston County Water Authority were able to secure funding for the Sewage infrastructure and it will be in place soon.

Because of the County Commissioner District 3, the County Commission, the City Commission, our State Delegation, the Houston County Water Authority, and the Dothan/Houston County Chamber of Commerce working together for one common goal this New Economic Development will be just the start of what is to come.

When a Commissioner does his job, it is not difficult to make things happen within 2 terms of office. It just takes good advisors, eagerness, and motivation to get things done. I hope to see more Industry and Jobs created at the Houston County Industrial Park for the benefit of our kids and grandkids future. This is so important for our County. Jobs create healthy opportunities!!

I can’t emphasize how great of a working relationship we have with our local elected delegation and our state delegation. We all work great together… And because we do, these are the results

J&M Industries Inc. to build new facility in Houston County DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — The J&M Industries, Inc. (J&M) will open a new manufacturing and distribution facility in the Houston County Distribution Park, according to a press release by J&…