Fort Payne Alabama

When Fratco began searching for the right location to serve the growing southeastern United States market, the company evaluated countless factors—logistics, workforce, infrastructure and long-term growth potential. What ultimately stood out in Fort Payne, Alabama, was something harder to measure: a community built on resilience.

That resilience is something Dr. Brett Johnson and Jami Posey of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority know well.

The organization serves DeKalb County and its 17 municipalities, working to attract new investment and support economic growth throughout the region. In early 2024, a regional partner, the Greater Chattanooga Economic Partnership, connected Fratco with DeKalb County as the company explored potential locations in the Southeast. After months of conversations, site visits and collaboration, Fratco officially selected Fort Payne as the home of its newest manufacturing facility in August 2024.

But the story of Fort Payne began long before Fratco arrived.

A Manufacturing Community

In the late 1800s, Fort Payne experienced a boom fueled by iron ore and coal discoveries throughout the southern Appalachian region. Although much of that early industrial activity eventually shifted elsewhere, the infrastructure, workforce and entrepreneurial spirit remained.

Those foundations helped establish an industry that would define the region for generations.

“For about 100 years, the biggest industry in Fort Payne and DeKalb County was the sock industry,” Dr. Johnson explained. The community became known as the “Sock Capital of the World,” producing hosiery shipped across the globe.

When global trade changes and offshore manufacturing dramatically impacted the textile industry in the early 2000s, thousands of local workers faced uncertainty. What followed, however, became a defining chapter in the region’s history.

Rather than relying on a single industry, Fort Payne diversified. Community leaders, manufacturers and Northeast Alabama Community College worked together to retrain workers and prepare them for opportunities in steel, automotive manufacturing, distribution, welding, maintenance and other skilled trades. Within little more than a decade, the local economy had transformed.

Today, DeKalb County is home to a diverse manufacturing base that includes steel products, building materials, playground equipment, windows, distribution operations and now corrugated plastic pipe.

More Than a Ribbon Cutting

Economic development is often measured in numbers—capital investment, square footage and jobs created. But for Dr. Brett Johnson, the true impact of a project isn’t found in a spreadsheet.

“A lot of people think our job is about getting to the groundbreaking and cutting a ribbon and producing a headline about a new win,” he said. 

But the reality is it’s about the single mom who wakes up every day and is getting dressed for work that six months ago she was dreaming of.

It’s a perspective that shapes the way Johnson views every project that comes to DeKalb County.

Behind every new manufacturing job is a person who gains the opportunity to provide for their family, build stability and plan for the future. Those opportunities create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the walls of a facility.

Dr. Johnson believes steady employment can be transformational not only for individuals, but for entire families and future generations.

“The difference between a steady job in a manufacturing environment with a growth trajectory and the alternative is just night and day,” he emphasized.

Dr. Johnson went on to explain that without reliable employment, families can face challenges that reach far beyond financial hardship. Economic uncertainty can contribute to mental health struggles, substance abuse, crime and educational setbacks that affect children and create cycles that are difficult to break. Conversely, meaningful work provides stability, purpose and opportunity.

When companies like Fratco invest in communities such as Fort Payne, Johnson sees much more than payroll numbers.

“When we’re celebrating those 60 jobs being created, we’re celebrating the 150 or 200 humans in those households that those jobs might represent, and the generational change that could come behind that.”

That outlook reflects the mission of the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority. While attracting new investment is important, the ultimate goal is creating opportunities that strengthen families, support local schools and help communities thrive for years to come.

For Dr. Johnson, every groundbreaking represents something much bigger than a new building. It represents possibility.

Investing in Opportunity

Bringing a new manufacturer to a community requires more than a good location and a skilled workforce. It requires partnership.

Throughout the site selection process, the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority worked with local and state leaders to develop a competitive package to support Fratco’s investment and long-term success in Fort Payne.

One of the most significant contributions came from the City of Fort Payne, which provided 32 acres for the project as part of the incentive package approved to attract Fratco to the area. The City of Fort Payne also partnered with Fratco, other nearby manufacturers and the Alabama Department of Transportation to improve portions of the city and state roadway to accommodate the new
traffic patterns.

Additional incentives included noneducational property tax abatements and noneducational sales and use tax abatements on construction costs and equipment purchases. Dr. Johnson noted that Alabama already ranks as the state with the lowest property taxes in the nation, with DeKalb County recognized as having the lowest property taxes in the country.

State-level support also played a key role. Through Alabama’s economic development programs, Fratco
qualified for incentives tied to both job creation and capital investment. The company also partnered with Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), which provided assistance with recruiting, hiring and training employees as the new facility prepared to begin operations.

The partnership extended well beyond financial incentives. During the construction and startup phase, the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority opened its facilities to Fratco, providing space for interviews, employee training sessions and leadership meetings as the company established its presence in Alabama.

For Dr. Johnson and his team, these efforts are all part of a larger mission.

“We kind of served as the gateway for them through the economic development office,” he said. “The City of Fort Payne, our partners and the community sealed the deal.”

That collaborative approach helped Fratco move quickly from site selection to production while building relationships that continue to support the company’s growth in the region.

A Natural Fit

From the beginning, Posey said one thing stood out about Fratco.

They talked about community involvement. Wherever they ended up, they wanted to be involved in the community.”

That commitment aligns naturally with Fort Payne’s culture.

As a family-owned company, Fratco’s values mirror many of the businesses that have shaped the region over the years. Dr. Johnson described Fratco’s leadership team as “down-to-earth, conversational, real people”—the type of people who fit comfortably into a community built by generations of hardworking manufacturing families.

The timing also proved meaningful. As one of the area’s remaining large hosiery operations wound down, Fratco began hiring. Many workers who suddenly found themselves seeking new opportunities were able to secure jobs at the new facility, continuing Fort
Payne’s long tradition of adapting to change while preserving its manufacturing roots.

Looking Ahead

For Fratco, Fort Payne serves as a strategic southeastern hub, providing access to growing markets across Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and beyond. For DeKalb County, Fratco represents another chapter in a long history of manufacturing and
economic growth.

Most importantly, the partnership reflects a shared belief in investing for the future, whether that’s building infrastructure, creating jobs or strengthening communities.

As Fort Payne continues to grow, Fratco is proud to be part of a community that understands the value of hard work, adaptability and opportunity.