Diamond Pro is planning to open a manufacturing facility in the Hartselle-Morgan County Industrial Park that will employ up to 24 employees that with a total investment of more than $1.3 million.

Josh Turrentine, owner of Diamond Pro, said they currently have a manufacturing operation in China, but they want to open one in the U.S. He said they will be producing barbells, rubber weights and other weightlifting and exercise equipment at their Hartselle plant.

They have current installed weight rooms at South Alabama and West Alabama and have provided equipment for both Alabama and Auburn, along with several high schools.

Council member Kenny Thompson said some local businesses were concerned about Diamond Pro’s printing business. Currently there are at least four other printers in Hartselle.

Turrentine said that their printing business isn’t the main part of their company.

“It’s probably less than five percent of what we do,” Turrentine said. “We mainly use that to do printing jobs for our company. We wouldn’t necessarily turn down anyone that would want to use our printing business, but that’s not our primary business.”

Diamond Pro is asking the city to abate all noneducational property taxes totaling $4,706 per year and taxes related to the construction that aren’t used for education estimated at $5,100 per year over the next 10 years.

The company’s initial payroll will total about $500,000 and increase to nearly $850,000 by year three.

increase to nearly $850,000 by year three.

Morgan County Economic Development Association President and CEO Jeremy Nails said Diamond Pro currently has a distribution warehouse in Decatur, but they are looking to open a manufacturing facility in the former Mid-South Tools building on John D. Long Drive.

In other business, the council

• Introduced ordinances to changes to permitted uses in the B1 and B2 zones and in the M1 and M2 zones.

• Introduced an ordinance to clarification revisions to the equine exception for R1 and R2 large tracts.

• Introduced an ordinance to revise the CBD Design Review Board structure and duties.

• Discussed the fire hydrant maintenance contract with Hartselle Utilities.

• Considered request for budget adjustments in Fire Department for $1,000 in repairs to a weather siren.

• Considered a new volunteer roster for Fire Department.

• Considered authorization to utilize WEX, Inc. as the fleet fuel credit card service for all city vehicles and equipment.

• Discussed options for chipper repairs or alternative methods of handling yard debris.

• Considered a request to replace the position of equipment operator 1 for Public Works.