Jefferson County commissioners voted by voice to support a major reinvestment by American Cast Iron Pipe (CIPCO), endorsing a staff‑recommended jobs grant to help the company convert melting operations to electric furnaces and expand facilities in North Birmingham.

County staff introduced the project and invited company representative John Hagelskamp, who described a package of four projects the company said were “just under $800,000,000” in total value and would be phased over several years. Hagelskamp told commissioners the project would produce roughly 80 new jobs and generate an estimated $11,400,000 in general‑fund revenue to the county and about $25,000,000 to local schools over the life of the investment. Staff also presented a typical jobs grant calculation and recommended support.

Why it matters: County officials framed the proposal as both an economic development opportunity and a public‑health improvement for a neighborhood with historical pollution concerns. Multiple commissioners praised the project for offering livable wages and long‑term local investment.

What was proposed and approved: The presentation said the project will move melting operations away from coke‑fired cupolas to electric furnaces and eliminate the use of coke, which the company called a major source of greenhouse gases. The commission placed a motion on the floor and approved the staff recommendation by voice vote. The transcript records the jobs‑grant figure staff used in its calculation (approximately $320,000) and the company’s employment and revenue estimates.

On emissions figures: The transcript records inconsistent numerical claims about emissions reductions. In his presentation, Hagelskamp stated the company expected “over a 90% reduction in their emissions.” Later in the meeting he also said they were “estimating that, they'll see more than a 9% reduction,” an inconsistency the county did not resolve on the record. The commission discussion referenced community health benefits tied to lowering emissions but did not record a technical clarification or modeling detail from staff.

Next steps: The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript does not capture a roll‑call tally or the full terms of any formal incentive agreement. Any final incentive contract, performance requirements, or economic‑impact models were not recorded in the meeting transcript and would be subject to subsequent staff follow‑up and contracting procedures.