Hadrian, Navy partnering on project
BARTON — Federal and local officials are gearing up for Friday’s public unveiling of a major defense project at the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt confirmed last week Hadrian is partnering with the U.S. Navy on the project.
Aderholt, the Republican congressman whose District 4 includes Colbert and most of Lauderdale counties, described Hadrian as “a fast-growing advanced manufacturing company focused on strengthening America’s defense industrial base.”
“I am very pleased to confirm that Hadrian is the company partnering with the U.S. Navy on this important project in Northwest Alabama,” he said. “Hadrian represents the kind of innovative American manufacturing that is critical to rebuilding and strengthening our nation’s defense supply chain.”
The company already has launched a website, hadrianalabama. com.
The Navy’s plan to build a defense industrial facility at the industrial park were announced March 9.
A release from Aderholt’s office stated Hadrian “specializes in advanced precision manufacturing and works with leading defense and aerospace partners to rapidly produce high-quality components needed for national security.”
“This investment represents a strong partnership between private industry, the U.S. Navy and the Trump Administration to reinforce America’s defense industrial base,” Aderholt said. “Northwest Alabama has a long history of supporting our nation’s military and defense mission, going all the way back to World War I, and we are proud to play a role in helping ensure the United States maintains the strongest military in the world.”
He said Hadrian’s decision to invest in the area “highlights the region’s skilled workforce, strategic location, and growing importance in the nation’s defense manufacturing ecosystem.”
“I look forward to working with Hadrian, the Navy, and the Trump Administration as this project moves forward,” Aderholt said.
The industrial park is the location of the facility where FreightCar America was once housed. The company abandoned it in January 2021.
Investment firm AE Industrial Partners, based in Boca Raton, Florida, announced in January 2024 its affiliate Rocket Shoals LLC acquired the massive plant. AE officials stated at the time they envision an “aerospace corridor” extending from the Shoals to Huntsville.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said Monday the facility will be driven by artificial intelligence and create 750 to 1,500 jobs in the area.
Aderholt, however, said the facility will bring thousands of manufacturing jobs and opportunities to the area.
Some local leaders have received invitations to Friday’s ribbon-cutting at the Barton plant. It invites them to “Join Hadrian for the opening of Factory 4 in Cherokee, Alabama.”
Hadrian’s website states it has two locations in Torrance, California, and one in Mesa, Arizona.
