LOWELL -- The Planning Commission approved construction of an assembly warehouse in Commerce Park during its meeting Tuesday.
The 80,000 square-foot facility will house Delta Systems and Automation, said Hunter Haynes of HCH Consulting. He said the Rogers company assembles automated equipment used to package food.
"The equipment is used to package everything from granola bars to ice cream bars," Haynes said, who's contracted as a spokesman for Delta Systems.
Haynes said Delta Systems is different from most assembly warehouses. He said the equipment it assembles is used for food. It has to be food grade, he said.
"It is a really clean facility," Haynes said. "The equipment is all polished. You can eat off the floor it is so clean."
Delta Systems employs 55 people at its Rogers location on Horsebarn Road, Haynes said. He said the local company has been operating in Arkansas for about 25 years.
Haynes said the company plans to close its Rogers' location which is in a leased facility. He said the business also plans to expand. This includes a 15 to 20 percent increase in employees in the next three years.
Company officials decided a new location is needed, Haynes said. He said they found Lowell was a good a fit.
David Boerner said he sold the company about 9 acres on Distribution Parkway across the street from Fed-Ex in Commerce Park.
Lowell officials have made developing the land into a commercial region easy, Boerner said. He said the park also houses offices for Source Gas, Dish Network and a Budweiser Beer distributor.
"Lowell is looking for ways to create jobs and tax base," Boerner said.
Kris Sullivan, Lowell planning director, said she's excited about development in the region.
"These employees will eat here and buy gas here," Sullivan said. "Their families might move here."
Development in Lowell has been slow, Sullivan said. She said recent road improvement is drawing more businesses to the region.
James Milner, planning commissioner, said the business is able to start construction after securing building permits. It will have to come before the City Council for approval before opening.
NW News on 01/27/2015