Concrete fabricator to locate $23-million facility in New Albany

New Albany will be the location of a new $23-million plant built to manufacture concrete pipe and other precast concrete products.

The announcement was made yesterday, June 21, by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), which will assist with infrastructure improvements for the project.

Union County and the City of New Albany are also assisting with the development of the project.

The company locating a new manufacturing facility in New Albany is Dunn Utility Products, based in Byram in southeast Hinds County. It is expected that the New Albany expansion will about double Dunn’s current workforce. Dunn’s Hinds County plant was opened just four years ago in 2018.

The New Albany Dunn Utility Products plant will occupy the Enhance Mississippi Shell Building located in the Martintown South Industrial Park on the west side of New Albany. The shell building was built in recent years by private local investors in anticipation of it being occupied by a manufacturing operation.

The 100,000 square foot building will actually house two Dunn manufacturing plants to produce concrete pipe and wet cast concrete.

Dunn has also purchased a dirt pad at the site that could accommodate another 100,000 square feet. Dunn managers say the facility could eventually expand to 400,000 square feet, creating employment for more workers in addition to the first 30.

The new building is close to Interstate 22 and about one hour from the Memphis area. With the growth of Dunn’s sales in around Memphis, Birmingham and Nashville, the expansion will be on track to meet customer demands.

“We are excited about the growth opportunities and becoming a part of the community in New Albany,” said Mark McCormack, Dunn’s vice-president and general manager. “Our Dunn Family of Businesses have had a presence in Mississippi since 1927. We look forward to continuing our growth in the great State of Mississippi.”

McCormack thanked the MDA staff, the Three Rivers Planning and Development District, Union County Board of Supervisors President C. J. Bright and New Albany Mayor Tim Kent for their support in getting this project underway.

“We are pleased with Dunn Utility Product’s decision to locate in Union County,” said Board of Supervisors President C. J. Bright. “These new jobs pay above the county average annual wage and will afford our citizens an opportunity to work with a well-respected company.”

“Dunn Utility Products’ decision to locate in New Albany is wonderful news. We are grateful for Dunn’s investment in our community and our people,” said New Albany Mayor Tim Kent.