$130M manufacturing facility coming to Opelika, creating 261 jobs

An investment of $130 million is coming to Opelika by way of a new Hanwha Cimarron LLC manufacturing facility. The facility’s operations will support industries relating to with aerospace, defense, marine, drone, rail, and gas transport and storage.

Hanwha Cimarron LLC is a producer of filament-wound carbon fiber tanks and pressure vessels. The company says the investment will create 261 jobs for the Lee County city.

Hanwha Cimarron CEO David Jeon expressed his excitement about the company’s new growth opportunity.

“We’re excited about bringing over 200 good-paying jobs to the local area and about being a part of the greater Opelika community,” Jeon said. “We look forward to forming strong local partnerships that will benefit the community, the company and our employees.”

Earlier this week, the Opelika City Council unanimously approved the city’s project agreement with Hanwha Cimarron. According to Opelika-Auburn News, the city’s agreement will provide a package of financial incentives to the company.

Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL) praised the company’s investment in the Yellowhammer State.

“Hanwha Cimarron’s decision to build a new manufacturing facility in Opelika is great news for the city and for the state,” said Ivey. “This is another project that will create jobs for our hard-working citizens while also showing Alabama offers the kind of business environment that companies seek for success.”

Hanwha currently has a facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park which manufactures automotive parts that supply the Hyundai assembly plant in Montgomery.

Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL