b'ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTMITCHELL COUNTY HAS DEEP ROOTSDiverting a LossUnderstanding that time was of the essence, Pelham and Mitchell County HAPPY OWL PHOTOGRAPHYofficials immediately started looking for a suitable replacement. Within a few months, a silver lining appeared when Ohio-based Fire-Dex, a family-owned, global manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) for first responders, purchased Fire Proof: Located in Pelham, Fire-Dex is a global manufacturer of personalDarwoods 88,000-square-foot facility.protective equipment.Gilchrist says recruiting Fire-Dex was a big win for the community and I ts news that no city or county officialall my life, gave me a heads up that theyemployees. They started hiring back ever wants to receive. Yet, in April 2018,were closing, says Eubanks. Getting this Pelham Mayor James Eubanks vividlynews was like a punch in the stomach.existing workers from Darwood, plus remembered the phone call informing himthey completed upgrades to the facility, For 66 years, Darwood Manufacturing, aimproved employee benefits, and have that Darwood Manufacturing, Pelhamsthriving shirt producer, was an integral partprovided a whole new atmosphere. oldest industry and second-largestof Pelham and Mitchell Countys industry employer, was closing its operation,base. At the height of its production, theFire-Dex has committed to ongoing leaving jobs and livelihood of about 130family-owned company employed upwardexpansion at the Pelham facility, people in jeopardy. of 400 people, though the numbersincluding approximately one million in The companys owner, whom Ive knowndwindled over the years.new equipment in the next few years. HAPPY OWL PHOTOGRAPHYSupporting Jobs: Fire Dex is committed to ongoing expansion at the Pelham facility.58 SG MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2021'