Construction on the future Polaris plant in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County is progressing quickly, and a company official said Friday the project is on track for a spring 2016 startup.

The $48 million 775,000-square-foot facility is being constructed by T.W. Frierson Contractor Inc. and Design Constructors Inc., both of which are headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The company’s total investment in Limestone County is estimated to be $150 million.

Ed Heffernan, director of International Operations for Polaris, said 25 percent of the steel is now in place, the tilt-up walls are progressing and hiring is underway. He said a handful of salaried positions have been filled, and screening would start soon on candidates who have applied for hourly jobs.

“We’ve got a few current Polaris employees who will be relocating down with their families, and they’re real excited about that opportunity,” he said. “They’ve traveled (to Alabama), done their due diligence and are looking forward to the experience. We didn’t have to twist any arms.”

Heffernan said remaining employee hires would be “a healthy mix” of Tennessee Valley residents and employees looking to locate from the Medina, Minnesota, facility. Potential hires are being screened by Alabama Industrial Development Training, or AIDT.

AIDT began accepting applications for several positions on July 20, including assembly operators (starting wage: $12.75), material handlers (starting wage: $13.50), group leader (starting wage: $14.25), welders (starting wage: $14.25) and painters (starting wage: $14.25). Polaris is currently seeking applications for group lead, assembly operator, maintenance technician and process technician.

Heffernan said the company is still on track to begin production in the latter part of the first quarter, and estimated the workforce would be “north of 1,700” employees when the facility opens. He said he could not yet provide details on how many applications have been received for job openings, but said those figures could be released at a later date.

When asked if the company would run round-the-clock shifts, he said it would vary by department. He said departments that are “more capital-driven” would be three shifts. The assembly department would begin with a first-shift only, he said, and gradually work toward two shifts.

As workers continue to be screened and hired, some will be trained on assembly line techniques in the old Intergraph building located south of Interstate 565. Heffernan said a team has been setting up training stations, and executives would also use the facility for office space.

Heffernan said equipment would be installed at the Polaris plant at different intervals, but estimated most of it would be in operation by January.

“I think all systems are go, we’re on schedule and looking forward to having a long-term operation in Huntsville and Limestone County,” he said.

For more information on applying to Polaris, visit www.applytopolaris.com.