An upcoming addition to Harpersville could bring new jobs to the city, while changing the landscape east of the town.

Bama Budweiser of Sylacauga is moving its distribution plant about 18 miles northward to a new facility on U.S. 280 in Harpersville, near the Old Meadows Golf Course.

Harpersville will provide a more central location and room to grow for the large plant, said Plant Manager Sammy Blocker.

“It’s going to be more centrally located,” Blocker said. “We serve Talladega, Coosa and Shelby counties, so (Harpersville) is a more economic location for us.

“Everyone in Harpersville has been super nice, and have really worked with us well,” Blocker added.

Construction crews are now beginning to clear off land for the new distribution center, said Harpersville Mayor Theoangelo Perkins. The plant will be completed in about a year.

When completed, the 180,000-square-foot distribution center will supply Budweiser’s products to much of Central Alabama, and will bring new jobs to Shelby County,

“They are just starting work on their property now,” Perkins said. “They should begin working on it any day now. I actually expected them last week.”

Because Budweiser is moving the distribution center to Harpersville from Sylacauga, most positions at the new distribution plant will be filled by current Budweiser employees.

However, the expanded Harpersville location will allow the company to increase its workforce, which will help bolster the town’s economy, Blocker said.

“At the current time, we will not be adding any new jobs,” Blocker said, noting the distribution plant now employs about 55. “But as it grows, new jobs will be created.”

Because much of the country is in the grips of an economic downturn, Perkins said he was “very excited” about the addition to the town’s economy.

“We are very excited about it here,” Perkins said. “Any potential for new jobs in Harpersville is certainly welcome.”