THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

Work on an access road that will affect the flow of traffic for two local industries should be finished in about six months.

Dallas County Engineer George E. Jones Jr. told commissioners Monday that&8217;s about how long it would take to widen the narrow access road for Dixie Pellets that connects with International Paper&8217;s access road, County Road 78.

The county learned recently it had obtained a $400,000 grant from the Industrial Access Board in Montgomery to get the money.

Ballard and Jones presented the need to the board about three weeks ago. The Industrial Board gave only $3 million statewide for access road.

The $400,000 will be combined with $500,000 received in 2006 to pave for the road work.

Jones said the county plans to widen the two-lane road to three lanes. Work is expected to begin next month.

Dixie Pellets continues to work on its site. It operates at about one-third capacity with about 50 employees on staff.

The company expects to run at full capacity in May.

Dixie Pellets produces wood pellets, which are used in Europe as an alternative fuel.