LITTLE ROCK — A major expansion of a plant in Bauxite will create at least 100 new jobs in the region, Mayor Johnny McMahan said Tuesday.
A formal announcement of what McMahan described as a $100 million to $110 million expansion of a plant that mines bauxite for use in fracking is scheduled for Wednesday. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission said Gov. Mike Beebe would join company officials for a "significant" investment, but it did not release details on what the news would be.
McMahan said Saint-Gobain would expand their current operations in a major way, using the new facility to mine bauxite to be used in the manufacturing a BBs. The BBs will be used by natural gas drillers.
"It means a whole lot," McMahan said. "This just shows that Bauxite is on the way back."
McMahan said the plant is expected to create 100 to 120 jobs with salaries of up to $20 an hour. The company currently has a presence in Bauxite, though McMahan said he thought it currently employs fewer than 20 people.
"This is going to be a great shot in the arm in this area," McMahan said. "We're excited about it."
The formal announcement is set for 10 a.m. at the Bauxite Community Center and Museum.
Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
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