Enviro Tech Chemical Services of Modesto, Calif., is expected to create as many as 120 new jobs after its 110,000-SF facility in Helena is completed.
In July, Gov. Mike Beebe announced that the chemical plant expansion would add about 40 jobs, increasing the company's local workforce to more than 70. But at the building's groundbreaking in early April, Enviro Tech CEO Mike Harvey said the company wants closer to 150 workers.
Phil Harvey, Enviro Tech's vice president of U.S. operations, said 150 was the company's goal but was not entirely set in stone.
"We haven't signed any commitments as far as signing contracts," he said.
The facility will replace the one that was already present in Helena, he added. It's expected to open in November 2014.
The $5.5 million compound is the first true manufacturing facility to be located at Helena-West Helena Phillips County Port Authority, said John Edwards, attorney and spokesman for the port. Edwards said the expansion represents a step in the right direction for Phillips County.
"Everyone would like to have a major, 500-worker-plus employer in their community," Edwards said. "Our strategy is to focus on those employers that have 50-200 employees. If you have several those kinds of employers in your community, there's a greater redundancy of employment opportunities."
Phillips County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Doug Friedlander echoed Edwards' sentiments.
"It's a very big deal for us," he said.
