POPLR BLUFF INDUSTRIAL PARK IS DOUBLED IN SIZE

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Poplar Bluff Industrial Park has doubled in size with the announcement Friday that 200 acres have been purchased adjacent to the original park.

"This will have a tremendous impact on the future growth of Poplar Bluff and surrounding area," said Dennis Henson, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

The land, purchased from the Dunlap family, cost $630,000.

"Through an agreement with Poplar Bluff Industries (the chamber's industrial recruitment arm), the city will make annual payments over the next six years to complete the purchase. Funds provided from the half-cent capital improvements sales tax will be budgeted on an annual basis," Mayor Ron Black told the crowd.

The announcement was made to a crowd of about 30 persons during a 15-minute news conference at the chamber building.

"Over 2,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $30 million have resulted from the foresight and leadership of Poplar Bluff Industries and city officials through our present industrial park," Black said.

The present park was purchased in 1964 and has been "a key element to our industrial success," Black said.

"Grants for infrastructure improvements to the industrial park from the federal Economic Development Administration and the Missouri Department of Economic Development since 1968 have totaled more than $2 million. The present industrial park is nearly full and further industrial expansion is severely restricted," the mayor said.

"With continued aggressive industrial recruitment, we anticipate and plan for continued growth into the 21st Century. On a personal note, as mayor, I have always felt that the city should be a leader and motivating factor in providing an opportunity for our children to have good employment and a high quality of life," Black continued. "This is a giant step forward in insuring for the next generation an opportunity to stay in our community.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to Poplar Bluff Industries and the Chamber of Commerce for their strong civic commitment, their diligence and success in bringing industry to our city," he said.

Chamber executive vice president Ed Dust said the purchase of the new Poplar Bluff Industrial Park "will keep Poplar Bluff in the forefront of aggressive recruitment of industrial jobs for our area. Once again, Poplar Bluff is showing the aggressive attitude that has made us successful in the past."

Dust said he received a call Thursday afternoon from the state Department of Economic Development on behalf of a firm that is looking for a 50-acre tract ... possibly in the park's newest addition. The process will be initiated to have the land annexed by the city, Dust said.

Joe Swafford, PBI president, said "This is another example of the importance the city council and mayor have placed on the continued growth of our area. Their leadership and cooperation made this project possible.

"I'm very excited about marketing and promoting our new industrial park."