CHEROKEE — The U.S. Navy, under the leadership of Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan, cut the ribbon on a new defense industrial facility in Colbert County on Friday.
In a public-private partnership with advanced manufacturer Hadrian, the 2.2-million-square-foot facility "Hadrian Alabama Factory 4" will serve as the flagship headquarters for shipbuilding and maritime production.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Hayleyville), U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, (R-Saks), U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and other state and local leaders came out to Cherokee to celebrate and cut the ribbon on the new facility which Aderholt said will transform the Shoals region, as well as serve as a powerful symbol of American defense strength.
Through funding appropriated through the One Big Beautiful Bill, the private corporation Hadrian struck a partnership with Phelan to produce the U.S. Navy's Columbia and Virginia-class submarines.
Hadrian founder and CEO Chris Power spearheaded the restoration of a long-abandoned Barton facility in Cherokee, intending to make it an advanced production hub for mass-producing components for submarine construction, including parts, assemblies, and finished products. Hadrian projects that this first phase will reach full-rate production capacity within 24 months, and expansion and construction on other parts of the facility are planned over the coming months.
Phelan stated Factory 4 would be "the first of three facilities designed to address the most critical bottlenecks in the maritime industrial base."
State Rep. Kerry Underwood (R-Tuscumbia) opened the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, and Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) gave the invocation.
Power was introduced to the stage, and he made it clear that this partnership was not about corporate profits, but the seriousness of this mission before them.
"We're surely mindful that the mission matters here because the stuff that we have constructed holds a bunch of sailors who are out in dark and dangerous places right now, making sure we all get to sit here," Power said.
Phelan spoke about the industrial legacy of Alabama and its part in building the World War II liberty ships. Once the war was won, American manufacturing slowly disintegrated, and much of it moved overseas.
Phelan said, "And like too many places in this country, the manufacturing base has atrophied, and the work once done here has moved mostly overseas. President Trump has correctly identified this trajectory as unacceptable. And he's reversing it through a renewed focus on American industry and economic strength."
Phelan continued, "Today, that reversal is not just a political slogan. It is happening right here in Alabama. This facility is coming back to life. This is not just an investment in infrastructure. It is an investment in the American worker, in Alabama communities, and in the future of American security."
Phelan further laid out the three pillars of President Donald Trump's vision to "rebuild the fleet, revitalize the maritime industrial base, and change how the Department of Navy does business."
When Hadrian Alabama Factory 4 becomes fully operational, it is expected to create up to 1,000 high-quality jobs.
Aderholt spoke about the importance of job creation and of ensuring industry returns to Northwest Alabama.
Aderholt promised, "We are just getting started. This facility is only one part of a much larger opportunity. And I intend to keep working fully until the full potential is realized in this area. Because that's what this community has always done. When America has called, Northwest Alabama answers. Today is the beginning of a stronger region, a stronger workforce, a stronger United States of America."
Wicker gave brief remarks, as did Rogers, who praised Hadrian for "getting into the defense industry […], and using new technology so they can build to scale, at speed. So, this is an exciting time for America, and you can say that you were there when it started."
Britt rounded out the congressional delegation, saying, "When you think about the advanced manufacturing that's going to occur right here, and you think about the pivotal role that the great state of Alabama is going to play, I hope that you are all so proud."
"We, Alabamians, are going to be part of rebuilding, transforming, and supercharging America's domestic manufacturing and defense industrial base," Britt said.
Tuberville said, "We'll cut a ribbon today for the future of Northwest, Alabama, all of Alabama, and this country for protection of our kids and grandkids in the future. And I hope you really understand what this means."
"It is phenomenal. It is a game changer. And I know the people that will work in this building will do their very best to protect our young men and women. for decades and centuries to come because of what you're building. Thank you. God bless Alabama. God bless America," Tuberville said.
Jennifer Oliver O'Connell, As the Girl Turns, is an investigative journalist, author, opinion analyst, and contributor to 1819 News, Redstate, and other publications. Jennifer writes on Politics and Pop Culture, with occasional detours into Reinvention, Yoga, and Food. You can read more about Jennifer's world at her As the Girl Turns website. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Telegram.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
