LITTLE ROCK (KFSM) — Gov. Asa Hutchinson says the Chinese company Sun Paper will build a $1 billion bio-products mill in southern Arkansas, creating 250 jobs.
Hutchinson was joined by Sun Paper chairman and founder Hongxin Li in making the announcement Tuesday. The mill will be Sun Paper’s first facility in North America.
Sun Paper employs more than 10,000 employees worldwide.
“The fact Sun Paper is investing more than $1 billion in south Arkansas speaks volumes of their confidence in our workforce and pro-business environment,” Hutchinson said in a release from his office. “This is among the largest private investments in the state’s history and the impact will be felt for generations. Thanks to Sun Paper for choosing Arkansas as the location for its first North American facility.”
Headquartered in China’s Shandong Province, Sun Paper ranks among the top 500 Chinese enterprises and one of the world’s top pulp and paper maker, according to the release.
The pulp mill is expected to expected to create 250 jobs at an average salary of $52,000 per year.
