Bank, Trucking Co. Moving to Bypass

Huntsville is continuing to expand north, as another city business develops a new headquarters near the intersection of the U.S. Hwy. 412 bypass and County Road 1650.

First State Bank of Huntsville is building a 5,000-SF branch that should be complete by late spring or early summer 2008, said Curtis Hutchins, bank president and CEO. The project budget is about $1.5 million.

Hutchins said the city is growing in the direction of the bypass, and he expects to see many more developments in that area in the next five to six years.

The teller window at the bank’s old location will stay open, but the offices will all be moved to the new location.

First State isn’t the only business moving toward the bypass.

Trucking firm Lew Thompson & Son Inc. has moved its 10,000-SF shop and 13.5-acre parking area onto the bypass and will be constructing a 4,500-SF office building in the area, said Lew Thompson, company president and founder.

The company employs about 80, with a fleet of 56 trucks and 111 trailers. Its primary business is transporting products for the poultry industry. Much of the company’s truckload is refrigerated transport for Butterball LLC, Cargill Inc. and George’s Inc.

Thompson said the reason for the move is largely because of the difficulty large trucks have negotiating the narrower streets of the center of the city.

Construction on the new office building will begin in late December.