CAIRO — Nivel Parts and Manufacturing Company plans to expand their current facilities in Cairo in a move which will create approximately 65 new jobs.

The Jacksonville-based golf cart manufacturer plans to renovate the former MadJax building on 2nd Avenue NE and employ a team of machinists, machine operators and sewing associates to create golf cart parts and accessories, mainly car seats and wind shields.

Nivel acquired the former MadJax structure in 2015. The group said in a press release that they plan to hire locally.

Interested candidates should email resumes to nivelhr@nivelparts.com or fax them to 904-369-2588.

Nivel will also be represented at upcoming job fairs at Thomasville High School Feb. 25 and South Regional Technical College Feb. 27.

Grady County Joint Development Authority executive director Julian Brown, who pitched Nivel the deal to come to Cairo, said the move represents the largest employment expansion for the city in more than a decade.

“It’s a big win for Cairo, obviously,” Brown said. “Sixty-five jobs for Cairo is a very big deal. People in Atlanta may not look at it that way, but for Cairo, it really is a great thing.”

Brown said he became aware approximately five months ago that Nivel was looking to add new manufacturing opportunities in some of its newly-acquired warehouses across the country, including its recently purchased MadJax properties.

The JDA director said he jumped at the opportunity and met with Nivel representatives alongside local and state officials to prepare a package for the manufacturer, which he said potentially made the difference.

“The second I heard about it I was on it,” Brown said. “I think I got ahead of the other facilities in the other towns. They told me that my timing was very good.”

The state awarded Brown a QuickStart grant, which helps recruit and train individuals for manufacturing jobs, which was included in the package he presented to Nivel representatives.

“Nivel has shown great interest in our College and Career Academy here in Cairo,” Brown said. “They’re looking to have internships from the high school and give tours to the high school students who are interested in manufacturing, whether it’s welding or (computer numerical control) machinery.”

Other aspects of Brown’s package include a state-funded tax credit due to the county’s Tier 1 status and financial assistance from a multi-county development authority which includes Grady County.

Brown said Nivel informed him they had selected Cairo four weeks ago but he had to wait to share the news.

The JDA director said he believed the company’s presence would be larger than a simple employment expansion.

“I think it’s going to have an effect above and beyond Nivel and those 65 employees,” Brown said. “I think it’s going to trickle down to the high school to encourage the students. They’ll be able to move right in and see first-hand what kinds of jobs will be available because Nivel is open to working with the high school for years to come.”