Flora Council Agrees to Help w/Expansion at NAL Plant

Flora City Council members Monday approved two development agreements that will aid the expansion of North American Lighting.

City officials say they've worked more than a year on the first agreement. The measure will have NAL expand their current manufacturing facility by approximately 66,000 square feet. NAL currently employs over 900 individuals at their Flora facilities. The addition will add between 40 and 100 jobs to Flora within the next two years.

Flora recently upgraded its electrical lines in its industrial park. City officials say without the upgrade, the expansion would not have met NAL's timetable.

The second development agreement pertains to NAL building a 36,300 square foot building for their engineering and research and development department. This is a $5 million-$7 million investment in Flora and will retain 24 fulltime corporate jobs and add 13 fulltime jobs within 24 months.

The City will convey 6.54 acres of land in their industrial park to NAL, and will also construct a road to service the new facility and the land adjoining it.

Flora officials are applying for state grant assistance to help pay for the road improvements.