Reagent Chemical and Research Inc. announced a $1,000,000 expansion this week. The announcement was made through the Starke County Economic Development Foundation office.
A 10,600 sq. foot facility will be constructed which will house a general over-the-road truck maintenance operation, and will also repair, line, outfit, and maintain rubber lined tanker trailers belonging to the Reagent fleet. Reagent already installs rubber lining in new and used rail tank cars for its use and maintains and repairs its existing fleet of rail cars at the site.
The construction is expected to take about six months, with occupancy to take place in the first part of 2012. The general contractor will be Starke County-based Lowry Construction from Hamlet.
This expansion is the third in Starke County by Reagent since its 2005 announcement to locate its White Flyer Plant in Starke County. Although new employees will be hired, it is not certain at the present time how many employees will be hired and when.
According to Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charles Weaver, more expansion announcements are expected within the next month. This is the second major expansion in Starke County this year.
