Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
1:54 am Friday, October 24, 2003

New jobs headed to Clarke County

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
Oct. 23, 2003
Clarke County's economy could be turning around.
County officials received two pieces of good news this week: a closed pipe-making plant will reopen and a Taylorsville furniture and apparel manufacturer bought the Burlington Industries denim plant in Stonewall.
Fleming said this week's announcement could not have come at a better time.
Clarke County's economy has been in decline for more than 11⁄2 years ever since Burlington closed its Stonewall textile and denim plants in 2002, putting more than 800 people out of work.
County supervisors have since used a $100,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority the state's chief economic development agency to travel around the country and look for new industry.
Last month, the first signs surfaced of renewed interest in Clarke County.
Supervisors learned then that start-up company Magnolia Spinning, which will spin yarn out of Mississippi Delta cotton, will move into the county-owned Sunbeam plant near Shubuta.
Then came this week's two announcements.
Warmkraft Inc. of Taylorsville purchased the 518,000 square-foot Burlington Industries denim plant in Stonewall as well as the nearby wastewater treatment station.
Warmkraft did not buy Burlington's textile plant in downtown Stonewall and it remains vacant.
Warmkraft has been in business since 1984 and employs about 130 people at its Taylorsville plant. Company products include heating pads and massage systems for the furniture industry and a permanent press treatment system for military uniforms.
Donald Saxon, president of Warmkraft, said he hopes to begin using the Stonewall plant next year. Saxon said it's "too early to tell" how many people the plant might employ.
Meanwhile, Griffco Plastics, a pipe-making Quitman company that closed about two years ago, is ready to make its return.
Fleming said Griffco Plastics, which employed about 65 people when it filed bankruptcy, will reopen next week.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *