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The Demopolis City Council approved an incentive for a possible new industry during an abbreviated meeting on Thursday, March 19.

The council agreed to strike several items from the agenda in an effort to shorten the meeting due to COVID-19 concerns. Mayor John Laney said it is possible future meetings would be held via phone conference and that guests would be provided the information to join that call, which is allowed based on executive order of the governor in dealing with the spread of the virus.

The council did approve contributing $50,000 to Resource Fiber upon their move to Demopolis. Laney said the incentive would be paid by the city on behalf of the Demopolis Industrial Development Board. The Marengo County Economic Development Authority would contribute an additional $40,000.

Laney said the funds would only be made available to Resource Fiber upon their official announcement that the plant is moving to Demopolis. He added they are looking at a building in the city’s South Industrial Park, previously used by Prystup Packaging.

According to the company’s website, Resource Fiber is the ‘only bamboo fiber company in the nation … selling bamboo fiber and manufacturing high-performing bamboo industrial products.’

The mayor told the council the new industry could bring 20 jobs over a four-year period.

The council also entered into an agreement with Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood in assisting the city to identify and preparing for projects that would meet standards for Community Development Block Grants. Any grant possibilities would come to the council for approval.

The council approved $4,912 for the placement of 311 feet of curb on the south side of Whitfield Street. Bryant Concrete Finishing will perform the work.