Chinese company says it will increase investment in Arkansas pulp plant, could add up to 100 new jobs

January 30, 2018 at 4:01 p.m.

by Rachel Herzog

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Hongxin Li, chairman and founder of Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co., seal the agreement Tuesday that Hutchinson called “a real boost” for south Arkansas’ timber industry.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Hongxin Li, chairman and founder of Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co., seal the agreement Tuesday that Hutchinson called “a real boost” for south Arkansas’ timber industry.

A Chinese company will put more money and jobs into its Arkansas industrial plant than it originally planned, according to a Tuesday news release.

Sun Paper announced the total investment in its pulp mill outside of Arkadelphia is now $1.8 billion, increasing from its initially projected $1 billion.

The number of jobs at the mill is expected to top 350, according to the release. Previous reports state the mill expected to employ 250 people.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called the company's decision "welcome news."

"Sun Paper's commitment to Arkansas is a testimony to the quality of our state and our workforce," he said in the release.

Construction on the plan is expected to begin at the end of this year. Production is expected to begin by late 2019, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette previously reported.

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