Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth visited the HomTex, Inc. manufacturing facility in Cullman Wednesday to view the production of the Dream Fit Face Masks.

Ainsworth wanted to see first hand the production that was underway and to gage the ability of the company to produce annually the 400 million disposal face masks that could ultimately be in partnership with the State of Alabama.

On Monday night, the Cullman city council approved a $1.5 million loan to HomTex to help the Cullman-based company begin production of disposable face masks.

HomTex has been converting its plants to produce face masks, starting with the Cullman facility which is now producing washable, reusable masks. HomTex Vice President Jeremy Wootten said all four plants, located in Tennessee and the Carolinas, will eventually be manufacturing masks.

City Economic Development Department Director Dale Greer said the company will be investing $5 million in the project and will be hiring 100 additional employees in Cullman. He said with the purchase of the new equipment, the company could become the largest producer of face masks in the United States.