Oxford, AL – The Calhoun County Economic Development Council (EDC) is pleased to announce a $10 million expansion that will create 35 new jobs in Oxford. Bridgewater Interiors made the commitment official during a recent Oxford City Council meeting.
“After 16 years of successful operations in Calhoun County, Bridgewater Interiors is very pleased to embark on this next phase of growth and enhancement of our manufacturing footprint. We highly value our relationship with the Calhoun County EDC, and their support and collaboration on this project is instrumental in allowing us to bring good-paying jobs and economic opportunities to the region,” says John R. Cloud, CFO for Bridgewater Interiors, LLC. “The Calhoun County Economic Development Council has been in negotiations with Bridgewater Interiors on the proposed expansion for the last several months, said Larry Deason, board chairman of the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, and we are proud to have an industry of their caliber here in Calhoun County.”
The project includes investment in machinery and equipment, an increase in headcount, and building expansion to support additional warehousing needs. “This expansion allows Bridgewater to continue growing while establishing an infrastructure to meet customer demand,” says Kelvin Wright, plant manager at BWI’s Oxford facility.
Don Hopper, executive director of the EDC explains the importance of teamwork to make a project work. “We could not have gotten this project done without the Mayor and Oxford’s City Council. They continue to support the EDC and our local manufacturing industries, allowing us to bring new jobs into the region,“ said Hopper. Also proud of the expansion is Oxford Mayor Alton Craft. “Industry plays a vital role in the City of Oxford, and seeing Bridgewater Interiors’ new $10 million expansion brings us great joy. This expansion means 35 new jobs for 35 families. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry in Oxford is continuing to grow and give families opportunities for a financial breakthrough, and that is celebrated by all of us. Thank you to the Calhoun County Economic Development Council and Bridgewater for their continued dedication and hard work in growing Oxford and families’ economic vitality that live here,” says Craft.
Bridgewater Interiors, which manufactures the seat systems for the Honda Pilot and Honda Passport produced nearby in Lincoln, opened in 2003 and currently employs more than 350 people.