Opp and Covington County got great news yesterday when American Apparel, Inc. announced it would reopen its doors in Opp, after being closed for nearly a year.

The announcement means job for 70 to 75 people, and the company CEO said he hopes American Apparel can hire as many former employees as possible.

For all the months that the local facility has been closed, many people have worked together behind the scenes to make it possible for the Opp plant to reopen. We salute those who never gave up on the idea, and who wouldn’t take less than “yes,” from those in position to help make the idea a reality.

“People stayed involved in Opp and never stopped trying to bring it back, and that’s what was instrumental in bringing the jobs back,” Covington County Economic Development Council’s Rick Clifton said.

American Apparel CEO Chuck Lambert said the reopening is part of an agreement between American Apparel, Inc., Woolrich, Inc., and Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to transfer the government contract currently held by Woolrich, Inc.

The company will utilize its Opp facility to manufacture Marine Corps combat utility military trousers following a decision by Woolrich, Inc. to, “step out of the military uniform business and concentrate more on its commercial branded items.”

American Apparel, based in Selma, also has facilities in Alabama in Centre, Oneonta and Fort Deposit.