TUSKEGEE, AL (WSFA) -
"It starts out as a shipping container," says C.K. Johnson with Convertible Structure Solutions.
It's a company that takes shipping containers and turns them into housing for families in third world countries.
"That's a 480 sq. ft. facility, one bedroom, one bath, one kitchen," adds Johnson.
Before long Johnson and his company will break ground on a manufacturing plant right next to the CSX rail line just outside Tuskegee.
The best part--they'll need 125 people to work there.
"Every time we try to put a facility, we always involve the community and empower the locals to work and help build," adds Johnson.
It's good news for Macon County residents since 2,000 residents lost jobs when the county's largest employer--Victoryland--closed.
"We're looking at not only industrial but retail as well," says Harold Powell.
He is on the Macon County Economic Development Authority--a fairly new group designed to recruit businesses.
Convertible Structure Solutions "is the first in a series of others that we will be announcing over the next couple months," adds Powell.
Company executives say they're family focused. When the facility is built it will house a daycare center.
"Parents always have to deal with the children so as you enter the gate we'll have a daycare center that you can drop your child there," adds Johnson.
Johnson says he wants the plant to become a part of the community. When it's all said and done, he hopes to employ 300 people.
The company also makes housing for disaster relief. Business owners say FEMA has used their modular homes for tornado and hurricane victims.
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