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The Pike County Commission welcomed David Jones, owner of Alabama Pipe and Supply Company, Inc., to its Monday meeting and expressed appreciation to him for selecting Pike County as the location for his company which manufactures concrete pipes.

Jones said that his company, which will locate six miles north of Troy and across from Pioneer Village, will be one of the largest, if not the largest, manufacturer of concrete pipes in the state.

Alabama Pipe and Supply Company will operate out of a 78,000 square-foot facility with plans to be operational by June 1, 2020.

Jones said the company will initially employ about 20 and will have 80 employees within five years.

Jones said he was considering locations in Louisiana and north Alabama but chose Pike County.

“I’m from Mobile and Alabama was my first choice but the deciding factor for me was the hospitality of the Pike County Commission and the Pike County Economic Development Corporation. They were the difference.”

Jones, laughingly said Pike County is like Mayberry, a place to call home.

“Pike County has been good to me and I want to do business here in Pike County,” he said, adding that he has contracted with Whaley’s in Troy and S.A. Graham in Brundidge to get his business off the ground.

Jones said the state’s statuary incentives include a percentage return on employees’ salaries and capital credit on income taxes after five years.

Marsha Gaylard, president and CEO of the Pike County Economic Development Corp., said Gov. Kaye Ivey, the State Commerce Department, State Sen. Jimmy Holley and State Rep. Wes Allen were instrumental in bringing Alabama Pipe and Supply Company, Inc. to Pike County.

She thanked Jones for making the $12 to $15 million investment in Pike County.

Troy Fire Chief Buford Stephens addressed the commission with an update on the Pike County Fire and Rescue truck that was wrecked. Stephens said initially the damage estimate was to the front end but the truck was later determined a total loss. He said the cost of replacing the truck will be divided equally between the city and the Pike County Commission.

The Commission accepted the recommendation of Haynes Ambulance Service at no substances and approved an Active Network Backup System approval.

Pike County Probate Judge Michael Bunn’s request for permission to advertise for a personnel replacement was approved.

Open House for the Meeksville Shelter has been set for Jan. 25.