For Release: Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Contacts:    Jay Harlan, Buffet Enhancements: 800-990-0990

                  Lance LaCour, BCEDA: 800-947-2445

Fairhope, AL – Jay Harlan, owner of Buffet Enhancements International Inc. (BEI) along with County Commissioner Ed Bishop, Fairhope Mayor Tim Kant and BCEDA’s President Lance LaCour, announced BEI’s plans to construct a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility and employ additional 45 people within three years.  The company will invest over $300,000 on a 10-acre site located on Wagner Road, southwest of Sonny Callahan Airport.  Construction has begun with completion expected by September 15, 2004.

 BEI was established in 1990 in Fairhope and BEI currently employs 45 persons and has its corporate headquarters, manufacturing, assembly and distribution in Point Clear and has added 25 jobs in the past four months.  The Company manufactures food service equipment, and publishes its Professional Services Supply Catalogue, which is distributed to the Food Service and the Hospitality Industries.

 “BEI is pleased to announce this expansion and truly appreciates the efforts of Commissioner Bishop and the County Commission on our road paving project. We also appreciate the support from the Industrial Development Board of Fairhope and Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance.  Without these organizations’ support this expansion would not be possible”, noted Jay Harlan, President of BEI.

 County Commissioner Ed Bishop, LaCour, Mayor Tim Kant, Industrial Development Board Chairman Bill Payne, and Eastern Shore Chamber President, Darrelyn Bender welcomed the expansion.  Bishop remarked, “We are extremely delighted that Buffet Enhancements is expanding in our growing business community.  BEI is a true entrepreneurial success story in Baldwin County.

 On behalf of Governor Bob Riley and Neal Wade of the Alabama Development Office (ADO), David Echols, ADO Industrial Development Representative, expressed their appreciation to BEI for expanding in Alabama.  “The Alabama Development Office is pleased to have the opportunity to present BEI with a plaque of the State of Alabama Map.  We provide this to you and appreciate your commitment to expand in Alabama and in Point Clear.

 Mayor Tim Kant and IDB Chairman Bill Payne expressed their appreciation to Harlan.  “In light of the layoffs we’ve had with Goodrich, this is great news and the jobs are in a similar pay range,” noted Kant.

 BCEDA President LaCour noted, “This is truly a textbook case of assisting an existing industry.  The County Commission addressed an infrastructure need.  The Chamber and BCEDA interviewed the Company and identified an opportunity and addressed that opportunity.  Now, the Company is moving ahead with its project.

 Local legislators Joe Faust and Randy Davis participated in the press conference and appreciated BEI’s commitment to expand in Baldwin County.

 Others participating in the announcement included: the City Council of the City of Fairhope, Members of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Fairhope, Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance Board Members, and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Board Members.

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