Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Polycarbon Plant Is Officially Dedicated

Hot and humid weather failed to dampen the spirits of those gathered at the site of the new Polycarbon plant in the Clark County Industrial Park Tuesday, May 7.

State Representative Percy Malone, who was also president of the Clark County Industrial Council at the time Polycarbon announced its intentions to locate in the area, said Arkadelphia and Clark County have come a long way.

The unemployment rate, he told his audience, is now 2.9 percent, the third lowest in the state.

"We have a lot to be proud of," he said. "We're helping bring quality, good paying jobs to this area.

"Today is a milestone. The paperwork for the lease was signed this morning."

Malone said the CCIC and Polycarbon have a good working relationship, and the company will be a good corporate citizen for the county.

The building, he said, will be beautiful when completed, and will be something the county should be proud of.

More than 2,000 people applied for jobs with Polycarbon, with one trying to return to the area from the east coast.

"We're excited about where we are," Malone said. "We're looking forward to a long relationship with Polycarbon."

Pat Steery, president of Polycarbon, thanked everyone for coming to the dedication ceremonies. He told those present Polycarbon wouldn't be where it is today without the help of the CCIC and people of Arkadelphia.

Steery said the project belonged to Jeff Ruzich, who worked closely with the CCIC and Malone to make it a reality.

"He says good things about the people here," Steery said.

"We plan to have our equipment in by the end of May," he continued, adding, "there will be no product made until June."

Work on offices has only recently begun, and will not be complete until around Aug. 1. "We'll have a plant opening then," Steery said.

"We'll start with about 50 people. We need to get going here first. There is a need for the product this plant makes, and we won't put any additional burdens of production lines on at first.

"We're pleased with the applicants and expect to have a good work crew."

Those who have been selected have been sent to Polycarbon's home office in California for training.

Steery said there will only be one non-resident at the plant, Doug Kershaw, the plant manager. All other employees will be from the Arkadelphia-Clark County region.

"We want a totally Arkadelphia operation," he said.

Kershaw also thanked those on hand, saying they have made his decision to move to the area much easier.