FERRIDAY, La. – A co-owner of Mardy’s Contracting has said that it will be at least two months until the Ferriday industry can move into a building twice the size its current facility.

That is how long it will take the Town of Ferriday and the Macon Ridge Economic Development Region to renovate the Serio Building for use as Mardy’s Contracting’s new location. The Serio Building is located on First Street across from the new Ferriday post office.

Mardy’s Contracting, which makes camouflage clothing and related products, is now located in a 2,560-square-foot building on Louisiana Avenue.

&uot;But although it will take a couple of months to get in the new building, we’re still delighted,&uot; co-owner Judy Cooper said Monday afternoon.

Cooper, along with town and Macon Ridge officials, attended a Friday hearing of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee at which the company received a $124,000 grant. That grant will be used renovate the Serio Building.

Mardy’s Contracting has also received a $15,000 economic development grant from Entergy for the same purpose, Mayor Glen McGlothin said at the Chamber of Commerce’s Monday meeting.

With the new grants, Mardy’s will have the space to buy 10 new machines, McGlothin said, and Cooper added that the company hopes to hire 10 new employees as well.

Mardy’s Contracting now has 17 employees.

In the past, Cooper has estimated that the company could make 4,800 pieces of clothing a week in the larger building, compared with the 500 pieces it now produces in an average week.

The grants were the result of cooperation among town officials, Macon Ridge officials and other governmental and economic development representatives, McGlothin said.