Phenix City businessman battles city council to keep local mechanic shop open
PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WTVM) – A local business owner in Phenix City may soon be shut down due to code issues, specifically oil issues in the field.
News Leader 9 spoke with owners of Interstate National, who says the pandemic is a key reason his problems with the city are growing. He adds that he did just about everything he could to make it right.
Kenneth Anderson takes calls after the Phenix City City Council meeting, dispatching repair help to area truckers who have encountered a problem.
That’s what he does at Interstate National, a mechanic shop for 431’s 18-wheel rigs in Phenix City.
He says the rebound from pandemic issues has been very difficult.
“The business just went down during COVID. We opened in 1986, and we got strong after I married Yolanda, we got really strong. And now, after COVID, all business for everyone is down. On top of that, we don’t have employees,” Anderson said.
The city is taking steps to potentially close the business, and a public hearing in two weeks will determine the immediate future.
Phenix City Police Chief Ray Smith said Anderson failed to renew his business license last year and was cited for operating without a license.
Anderson says he is working to alleviate the issues and really needs help.
“After we were done…we worked day and night to clean up this place. I mean day and night we worked to bring it up to their standards. But every time we do one thing, they come up with another,” Anderson said.
In the meantime, while truckers are in high demand, a company trying to get them moving could be in its last days of business.
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