What Hadrian is building here
Hadrian's Factory 4 makes components and assemblies for the Navy's Columbia class and Virginia class submarines. The plant is at 1200 Haley Drive in Cherokee, inside the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park in western Colbert County, in the building that used to be the FreightCar America railcar plant. It covers about 2.2 million square feet.
- Opened: ribbon cutting on March 20, 2026. Officials have said the retrofit takes 16 to 24 months, so full production is still ahead.
- Funding: more than $2.4 billion in total, about $1.5 billion from Hadrian and $900 million from the Navy, per Hadrian.
- Jobs: up to 1,000 when fully running, per Hadrian. The Shoals Economic Development Authority estimates 888 jobs averaging about $35.24 an hour, and calls that conservative.
- Hiring: the first round opened in early September 2026, starting with management and engineering. Reported goals are more than 100 employees by the end of 2026 and about 900 by the end of 2029.
Sources: Hadrian via PR Newswire, March 20, 2026; Franklin County Times, March 25, 2026 (Shoals EDA estimates); WAFF, September 5, 2026 (hiring); TimesDaily, August 18, 2026 (retrofit timeline). Checked September 29, 2026.
How to apply
Hadrian posts openings on its careers page, which lists Cherokee, AL as a location. Its Alabama page has a sign up form for job alerts. Northwest-Shoals Community College has said it is adjusting its programs for this kind of work. I haven't seen a formal training partnership announced yet.
This page is an independent local guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hadrian.
Drive times from the plant
These are approximate, with no traffic, measured from the plant area east of Cherokee to each town's center. Your real commute depends on where in town you live and when your shift starts.
| Town | Miles | Minutes | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | 7 | 14 | Haley Dr, then US 72 |
| Tuscumbia | 14 | 24 | US 72 east |
| Sheffield | 16 | 29 | US 72 east |
| Muscle Shoals | 18 | 28 | US 72 east |
| Iuka, Mississippi | 21 | 33 | US 72 west, then MS 172 |
| Florence | 22 | 36 | US 72 east, then US 43/72 across the river |
| Russellville | 31 | 44 | US 72 east, then US 43 south |
| Killen | 32 | 52 | US 72 east, then US 43/72 through Florence |
Estimates from OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, calculated September 29, 2026. Drive it yourself at your shift time before you decide.
Picking a town
Most of the Shoals is within about half an hour of the plant, so the choice comes down to what you want close by. Tuscumbia is the closest of the four cities and the Colbert County seat, with a historic downtown and Ivy Green. Muscle Shoals and Sheffield are right behind it on US 72. Florence, across the river, is the largest city, home to the University of North Alabama, the main hospital and the most shopping. Russellville works if you want a smaller town to the south. Some people also look at Iuka, Mississippi, about half an hour west; I'm licensed in Alabama, so I can help you on this side of the line.
If you'll be working rotating or overnight shifts, it's worth driving the route in the dark before you commit. US 72 is the main road for almost every option.
Compare property taxes by town ↗
See this month's Shoals market numbers ↗
What else is out at Barton
Hadrian is the anchor tenant of a site that AE Shoals describes as more than 638 acres, with Norfolk Southern rail and a TVA port agreement on the Tennessee River. The state has also put more than $3 million in SEEDS funding toward a new 131 acre development site in the same park, with no tenant named yet. Nearby, Cherokee Nitrogen runs a chemical plant on the river, and TVA's Colbert combustion turbine plant near Tuscumbia added a $502.8 million expansion in 2023.
Sources: AE Shoals fact sheet, March 2026; Made in Alabama, April 2026; Business Alabama, October 24, 2023. Checked September 29, 2026.
Your first 30 days in Alabama
- Driver license: you can drive on a valid out of state license for 30 days after you become a resident. Out of state transfers are handled at the ALEA driver license office, 4500 Hatch Blvd, Sheffield.
- Vehicle: register within 30 days of the vehicle entering Alabama. You title it in Alabama first. Late registration adds a $15 penalty plus interest.
- Tag offices: Colbert County at 201 N. Main St, Tuscumbia. Lauderdale County at 102 S. Court St, Florence.
- Homestead exemption: once you own and live in your home, apply with your county revenue commissioner before December 31 to lower your property tax.
Sources: ALEA driver license information; Alabama Department of Revenue FAQ; ALDOR licensing offices. Checked September 29, 2026.
Buying before you move
You can do most of the early work from wherever you are now. Get pre-approved with a lender first so you know your number. Then we narrow down towns, I send you video tours of the homes worth seeing, and you plan one trip to see the finalists in person. If you need to rent first while you learn the area, that's a smart move too, and I'm glad to help when you're ready to buy.
Read the step by step buyer guide ↗
Buying from out of state? Read the moving guide ↗
Common questions
Where is the Hadrian plant in Alabama?
Hadrian Factory 4 is at 1200 Haley Drive in the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park, Cherokee, Alabama 35616, in western Colbert County. It is in the former FreightCar America railcar plant.
How many jobs will the Hadrian plant have?
Hadrian says the plant will support up to 1,000 jobs when fully running. Hiring started in September 2026 with management and engineering roles. Reported goals are more than 100 employees by the end of 2026 and about 900 by the end of 2029.
How do I apply for a job at Hadrian in Alabama?
Hadrian posts openings on its careers page at hadrian.co/careers, which lists Cherokee, AL as a location. Its Alabama page at hadrian.co/alabama has a sign up form for job alerts.
How far is the Hadrian plant from Florence and Muscle Shoals?
Roughly 28 minutes to Muscle Shoals, 29 to Sheffield, 24 to Tuscumbia and 36 to Florence, based on routing estimates with no traffic. Drive it at your real shift time before you choose.
How long do I have to get an Alabama driver license and tag after I move?
New residents can drive on a valid out of state license for 30 days after becoming Alabama residents. Vehicles must be registered within 30 days of entering the state, and you title the vehicle in Alabama before you register it.
Can you help me buy a home before I move?
Yes. Most out of town buyers start with a lender pre-approval and video tours, then take one trip to see the finalists. Call or text Corey at (256) 284-0363.