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44-THE-SEA COAST ECHO'/HANCOCK'TODAY SPECIAL EDITION,'JUNE 29,n1997
Wellman pumps millions into economy
Plant coming out of ground
The giant Wellman plant is beginning to take shape. Company officials said there are over 450 construction workers currently on site, and by year’s end that total is expected to climb between 1,200-1,300. Mississippi firms have already received $28 million in business from Wellman, much of that going to Hancock County firms. The first phase of the plant is expected to open in the fall of 1998, with two more lines scheduled to open months later. (Echo staff photo by Richard Meek)
BY ED LEPOMA
The sleeping giant known as Wellman Inc.. of Mississippi is beginning to flex its muscle, and the impact is rippling through the local economy.
To date, project director, C.O (Pete) Woody reports that the giant plastics/fiber manufacturing complex coming out of the ground at Port Bienville has pumped more than $28 million into Mississippi coffers.
And, Hancock County businesses, ranging from those who supply ice daily to the workforce to local firms supplying concrete and other products, are benefiting.
Woody reports there are now 450 construction workers on site, with a maximum of 1,200 to 1,300 to be hired by the end of this year.
For the most part, 75 percent of the workers on site are employees of Fluor Daniel Inc., of Greenville, S.C., which is the prime contractor for the first phase construction, expected to well exceed $330 million.
“The other 25 percent are employed by sub-contractors,” he added.
Woody reports construction crews are working 10-hour days, four days a week, “and the plant is coming along on time and on budget with a minimum amount of overtime.”
In the event of work stoppage due to inclimate weather, Woody says workers make up the hours by reporting on Fridays or on the weekend.
Woody says Wellman has transerred several personnel here from its Greenville operations, and there are now 26 aboard, with 10 to 12 having already relocated in the vicinity. Total staff projections are between 50 and 60, with most settling in the area within the next year, Woody said. He is having a house built in the Acadian Bay subdivision in Waveland, and said he hopes to have his family settled in by late July.
The 480-acre project site off Port Bienville Road is a beehive of activity.
“I expect a large spinoff business to locate at the park because of Wellman,” Hancock Port & Harbor Deputy Director Bill Stovall said. “We’ve already some inquiries. Wellman is still early in its stages, and is a strong catalyst for the future of Port Bienville.”
The main entrance to the Wellman Plant has already been paved, and work crews are busy clearing out access roads. The way is also being cleared for an additional seven miles of railroad track, which will bring supplies to the plant. Further down the road, Wellman is looking at its own waterfront site at Port Bienville, which will be cleared to allow supply barges to unload.
The main plant and supporting buildings will encompass about 100 acres, but the remaining tract will be developed over the next 10 years, and Wellman’s total investment could exceed $1 billion.
Wellman will manufacture polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET or polyester resin. The product is used for soft drink bottles, syrup bottles and other containers.
The company is also the world’s leading recycler of PET plastic bottles, which it
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