Phoenix Metals Company announced plans Thursday (March 21) for a new $4 million facility to be built at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith.
The metal processing center and warehouse operations will bring approximately 40 new jobs with an average wage of $15 per hour to the area over the next three years, according to a new release from the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce.
"I'm really excited just like the community ought to be," Ivy Owen, the director at the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority said. "This is good news at a good time. It's very needed in Fort Smith."
Thursday (March 21, 2013) the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority approved the donation of 11 acres of land at Chaffee Crossing for the facility to be built on.
The company will also invest approximately $8 million in new equipment for a combined $12 million dollar investment in Fort Smith, the release states.
The deal is a year and a half in the making, according to Tim Allen, president of the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce.
""They really fell in love with the community and our cooperation and at the end of the day that's what we bring to the table," Allen said. "The city, the community, the chamber pulls together along with Chaffee Crossing and that's what makes it happen so the company made a great choice."
The facility will be located at the northwest corner of Chad Colley and Roberts, across from the MARS Petcare facility. Construction is slated to begin immediately.
Officials hope to have the facility operating by the end of September.
Phoenix Metals, a subsidiary of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., has operations in 12 other states distributing aluminum, stainless steel, copper and carbon steel products.
For more information, visit www.PhoenixMetals.net