The Cullman County Commission approved $24.2 million in tax incentives Tuesday to support two local industries, including an expansion that will create 77 new jobs.

Topre America Corporation in Good Hope is getting a $20 million tax abatement for new equipment and machinery. The Japanese-based company is adding a new line that’s expected to create 77 new jobs, said Kevin Jackson, existing industry and economic coordinator with the Cullman Economic Development Agency.

Topre plans to produce a new line of components for Honda and Nissan, with the entire project expected to be completed by 2016, Jackson said.

Topre currently employs more than 600 at its location on County Road 222. Since opening in 2004, Topre has increased its Cullman facility from 440,000 square feet to 620,000 square feet in size. Topre manufactures components for Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

The commission also approved a $4.2 million tax abatement for American Proteins for a building, new equipment and machinery. New positions will be minimal.

Located off Alabama Highway 91, the company is the largest poultry rendering plant in the world. The facility employs 230.

American Proteins averages processing 35 to 36 million pounds of “offal” per week, turning raw material into nutrient-rich feed supplements for the poultry, livestock and pet food industries around the globe.

Commissioners said the incentives are worth the benefits the county receives from industrial growth.

“It’s bringing more jobs to our residents which means a bigger tax base that benefits the county as a whole,” said Associate Commissioner Kerry Watson.

Added Chairman Kenneth Walker: “We’re glad Topre and American Proteins are here, and we want them to stay here.”

Associate Commissioner Garry Marchman said the county considered the tax abatements because of the number of jobs they would bring to the area.

“The benefits we get more than outweigh the abatements themselves,” Marchman said.

In other business, the Cullman County Commission:

* Approved minutes from Nov. 25 meeting, appropriations, expenditures, payroll, requisitions and all journal entries to be posted.

* Designated bank depositories for county funds.

* Authorized Chairman Kenneth Walker to sign affidavit of legatee for the receipt of real and personal property assets from the estate of Randy Hale. Hale passed away and left all his belongings to the county animal shelter.

* Ratified Chairman Walker to sign Highway Safety Office grant for the sheriff’s department for fiscal 2015. The grant will be used to pay deputies for additional patrol of roads where drivers speed and have frequent wrecks, said Chief Deputy Max Bartlett.

* Approved grant agreement for Recreational Trails Program (RTP) project for multi-purpose trail around Duck River Reservoir. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) grant will be used to construct a bridge connecting the trails. The city and county each applied for a grant, and the Cullman Utility Board will pay for the county’s match on its grant.

* Approved $53,230 ADECA grant to add lighting at the Stony Lonesome OHV Park’s parking area. ADECA will pay $42,584 and the county will pay the $10,646 match. Officials said the lighting is badly needed at the park to make it safer for visitors.

* Ratified $58,596.30 payment for transitional reinsurance contribution as required by the Affordable Care Act.

* Approved $15,000 payment to City of Hanceville for maintenance of Mud Creek.

* Approved Beat 36’s $500 request from Beat 36 for polling maintenance and operational support.

* Approved Logan Fire and Rescue’s $500 request for polling maintenance and operational support.

* Approved $872,269 purchase for six or more Mack dump trucks and one Mack lowboy tractor off the Association of County Commissions (ACCA) of Alabama’s bid list through Nextran. The vehicles will be delivered in April or May and are being paid for with money generated from the sale of old dump trucks.

* Awarded Helena Chemical bid for herbicide.

* Awarded Blount Springs bid from special aggregate base material.

The commission will hold a work session 8:30 a.m. Dec. 23, followed by its meeting at 10 a.m.

Tiffeny Owens can be reached by email at towens@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131.