UNIONTOWN — Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has approved a $700,000 low-interest rate loan that will enable an industry in Alabama’s Black Belt region to expand and create 20 more jobs.

Harvest Select Catfish in Uniontown will use the economic development loan to meet increased product demand by adding a fifth processing line.

Harvest select employs 246 people in Uniontown and with the expansion will be able to process an additional 100,000 to 120,000 pounds of fish a week.

The company has 4,800 acres of catfish ponds in three states. In addition to its pond and processing plant in Uniontown, Harvest Select also has a processing plant in Euroda, Ark.

The company operates a fleet of trucks to transport its products and supplies.

The economic development revolving loan fund is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs from money provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Loans are available to help businesses retain or create jobs within the state.

Loan repayments are returned back to the program and made available for other ventures.

Bentley notified Mayor Jamaal O. Hunter that the loan had been approved.