Martha Roby Weekly Column: A productive week of travel in the Second District
For the last week of May, Congress was out of session for a district work period, and I had the opportunity to travel around the Second District. Throughout the week, I visited with constituents and local leaders, toured businesses and industries, and spent time with some of our servicemembers at Dannelly Field in Montgomery. During my week of district travel, I made several stops in Brundidge, Ozark, Montgomery, Eufaula, and Dothan. I cannot express enough how truly valuable it is for me to spend quality time with the people I represent here in Southeast Alabama. My candid conversations with constituents enable me to be a stronger representative for our shared views in Washington, and I am grateful for every opportunity I get to interact directly with you. In Brundidge, I paid a visit to City Hall where I talked with Mayor Isabell Boyd and a group of constituents. I really learned a lot during our time together, and I thank those who showed up to make our conversation productive. In Ozark, I stopped by Bell Helicopter to visit with leadership and employees and toured their impressive facility. Bell currently employs 76 people, and they perform incredibly important work supporting our military. I was glad to see their work firsthand, and I am eager to see the company continue to thrive and grow right here in the Second District. After visiting Bell Helicopter, I spoke to the Ozark Kiwanis Club during their weekly lunch meeting. I gave the group an update from Washington, perhaps most importantly about our efforts to deliver a disaster relief bill. Since the Senate recently passed their version of a bill, the House will act on this legislation very soon. I am optimistic we will send it to the President’s desk shortly. Farmers in the Wiregrass and throughout the country desperately need help recovering, and I remain committed to pushing this over the finish line. Next, I visited Chris and Monica Carroll, fifth-generation owners of a beautiful farm in Dale County. The Carrolls produce cattle, poultry, soybeans, and wheat, and I toured their extensive operation and was able to see firsthand the very hard work they do. I appreciate the Carrolls for graciously hosting me and sharing their insight and experience. Since agriculture is the backbone of our district’s economy, it is vitally important for me to spend time on the ground with our farmers to hear directly from them. I also spent a fantastic day in Eufaula. During my time there, I stopped by Humminbird Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics where I was given a very engaging and informative site tour. I enjoyed visiting with employees, and I was especially glad to learn more about the innovative work they perform. Johnson Outdoors currently employs 240 people in Eufaula, and we are fortunate to have these job opportunities in our district. While in Eufaula, I also visited American Buildings Company for a meeting with company leadership to learn more about their legislative priorities. I enjoyed our time together and appreciated the conversation about ways we should improve our country’s infrastructure. For my last visit in Eufaula, I stopped by the airport with Mayor Jack Tibbs for a briefing on tornado recovery efforts. That area of town was badly damaged earlier this year when a tornado made landfall, and my office remains engaged and ready to assist where we are able. I am grateful for my strong relationship with Mayor Tibbs and for his dedication to keeping me informed about all developments in Eufaula. In Dothan, I attended a ceremony at Glasstream Powerboats celebrating their business’ expansion. I was glad to have the opportunity to give congratulatory remarks alongside local leaders, including Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba. I’m always thrilled any time I have the chance to celebrate the creation of new jobs here in our communities. Glasstream Powerboats’ hard work has delivered an additional 40 jobs for the Dothan area, and that is an accomplishment we should all be proud of. Next in Dothan, I attended the grand opening of a new Five Star Credit Union location. It was wonderful to meet employees and tour their brand new facility. This was another fantastic opportunity to celebrate new jobs in the Wiregrass, and I was glad to be involved in the festivities. Last, but certainly not least, in Montgomery, I spent time at the 187th Fighter Wing for Col. William Sparrow’s Change of Command ceremony. Col. Sparrow has led the 187th with distinction, and I am tremendously grateful for his service to our country and to the River Region. I congratulate the new commander, Col. Edward Casey, for his achievement and look forward to working with him as we strive to strengthen our district’s military footprint together. I share all this information to let you know that the May district work period was informative and very productive. I welcome every opportunity to engage with the people who live and work in Alabama’s Second District, and I extend my thanks to each person who made these meetings meaningful. It is a tremendous honor to serve you in Congress. Martha Roby represents Alabama’s Second District. She lives in Montgomery, Alabama, with her husband Riley and their two children.
Homecoming: Wickles Pickles returning production, jobs to Alabama
Wickles Pickles, the tangy Southern treats produced by a pair of Alabama-born brothers, are returning to their roots. Sims Food Inc., the company behind the popular pickles that are sold across the U.S., is moving production from North Carolina back to Alabama. By the end of the year, Will and Trey Sims and partner Andy Anderson expect 100 percent of Wickles Pickles to be made at Magnolia Vegetable Processors in Brundidge. The move could mean new growth and opportunities for the company, as well as closer ties with cucumber producers across the state. “Our goal is to use as much produce as possible from Alabama growers and fill in the gaps elsewhere,” Will Sims said. Homecoming Bringing production back to Alabama has been a longtime dream for the partners. The Sims brothers entered the pickling business in 1998 after sampling the spicy pickles their cousin made for a Halloween party. They purchased the recipe, which had been passed down by her grandmother, and Wickles Pickles was born. They soon brought longtime friend Anderson on board, and the trio has led the company on an impressive growth streak. Featured on TV cooking shows, magazine spreads and restaurant menus, Wickles Pickles have a loyal following for their distinctive flavor that blends heat and sweet. The product lineup includes 10 items, and they are distributed to most major supermarket chains in all 50 states. Last year, Sims Food made several million jars of pickled products. “We believe in the products, and it’s just grown from there,” Sims said. “We’ve enjoyed doing it, and we’ve kept it going.” In the early days, the pickling operation was in Dadeville, where the company has always maintained a sales office. But as demand grew, the partners had to look elsewhere for processors, and that took them to North Carolina. Vital partnership A key part of the move back to Alabama was the startup of Magnolia Vegetable Processors (MVP), which will process and pack Wickles Pickles. The company is in Brundidge, which has a long history of food production. Sims Food also has a stake in MVP, which opened last year in a new 66,000-square-foot building across the street from Southern Classic Food Group. MVP specializes in pickled vegetable products. “Wickles was the first customer of MVP, and the driving force of what it was built around,” Sims said. As Wickles Pickles’ business grew, it got so large that only a few places could process and pack the products, Anderson said. “Sims found the perfect partner,” he said. Creative control More growth is on the horizon, as the production move is giving the partners more creative control. That means opportunities for small batches to try out new products. “We’ve just run the first batch of dill okra, which will be hitting grocery shelves soon,” Anderson said. Sims Food Inc., the company behind the Wickles Pickles brand, will produce its products at a plant in Pike County. (contributed) At the same time, the company has taken the opportunity of the transition to adjust its ingredient list. Turmeric has replaced artificial food coloring, and preservatives have been eliminated. And finally, the Alabama-made Wickles Pickles are wearing updated labels for a fresh new look. Pleasing taste The Sims brothers never expected to get into the pickling business. Before they started making Wickles Pickes, Will was an aspiring photographer out West and Trey was a stockbroker in Atlanta. But both were looking for a way to come home to Alabama and be closer to family, and the pickles paved the way. One thing the partners don’t agree on is the best way to eat Wickles Pickles. Anderson loves them on a barbecue sandwich, while Sims thinks they’re best with pimento cheese and Conecuh sausage. Beyond that, their fans like them fried, chopped up in a salad and just straight out of the jar. “People see the label, and they are intrigued. Once they try them, they keep coming back,” Anderson said. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter.
