Area Development
Milo’s Tea Co. plans a $13.1 million expansion at its Bessemer, Alabama, operations center, which will create 29 jobs.

The City of Bessemer recently approved property and sales tax abatements for Milo’s Tea to expand and improve its current plant and to purchase an adjoining 3.3 acre site and building for additional cold storage and future growth.

“We are so thankful for the opportunity to grow our plant, offices and distribution center in Bessemer,” said Patricia Wallwork, CEO of Milo’s Tea Co. “The outstanding team of people that consistently produce high-quality drinks for our customers make it possible for us to continue to grow and expand. In fact, the launch of our new all-natural Lemonade, Decaf Tea and Tea & Lemonade products would not be possible without such a strong team and support from the entire community.”

According to the Birmingham Business Alliance, the company had planned a $4.6 million expansion at the end of 2013, which would have created 24 jobs. However, Milo’s soon revised the expansion plan to include additional plant improvements and the purchase of the adjacent property, which also includes a 25,000-square-foot building.

Milo’s worked closely with the City of Bessemer, the Bessemer Industrial Development Board and the Birmingham Business Alliance to purchase the adjoining property and seek abatements of property taxes and sales taxes on new equipment.

“We are happy to see Milo’s Tea Co. continuing to grow and expand into new markets,” said Jefferson Traywick, senior project manager at the Birmingham Business Alliance. “The company’s success in our region is quite impressive and we expect more great things from Milo’s Tea in the future. Their commitment to quality and community is to be commended.”