Posted on February 13, 2013
Originally published in the El Dorado News-Times on February 14, 2013.
Clean Harbors announced an expansion Wednesday during the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Luncheon at the El Dorado Golf and Country Club.
Ron Hines, the company?s senior vice president of U.S. incinerator operations, said the plant?s new incinerator project will be an economic boon for the area, adding 120 full time jobs and 130 short term jobs. He said the full time jobs have an average annual salary of $60,000, with the short term jobs paying $55,000 on average.
He said the El Dorado plant was one of six sites being considered for the expansion, noting that the area?s qualified work force distinguished it from the other candidates.
“They knew they?d have no trouble finding employees,? Hines said. “There?s a lot of employees here who are very skilled and knowledgeable.?
The plants safety record was also a plus, Hines said. It was recognized as a “STAR? site last December under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration?s Voluntary Protection Program. Hines said OSHA ranked the El Dorado site?s safety record among the top 4 percent in the country. The $80 million project is scheduled for completion in 2016. Hines said supplies and contract labor needed for the 30-month construction phase should add more than $9 million to the area economy.
“We want to be an equal partner with everyone else in the community and work to do the right things,? Hines said.
Norphlet and Smackover mayors Jim Crotty and Bobby Neal updated attendees on public works projects in their communities. Crotty said Norphlet?s $1.5 million water and sewer upgrade is complete, and Neal announced construction of Smackover?s new 5,300- square-foot city hall is scheduled for completion by mid-summer.
Don Hale of the Diamond Agency gave attendees a glimpse of the El Dorado Insider?s Guide, a quarterly publication promoting the city to visitors. The spring issue will be released in April, followed by the fall issue in August, the holiday gift guide in November and a visitor and newcomer?s guide in early 2014.
“This is going to be a publication about the best of the best in El Dorado contained in a world class package,? said Laura Allen, the magazine?s editor. “There?s so much happening. We want to tell the story behind that. It will entertain locals, telling us things we don?t know about the city, and bring new people to the area.?
In other business:
? Pending passage of new bylaws next month, the chamber elected the following slate of executive officers: Bill Luther, chair; Jim Tidwell, chair-elect; Melissa Jerry, immediate past chair; Brett Williamson, treasurer; Rob Waggoner, secretary, Alan Meadows, at-large member; Felisha Aaron, at-large member; Dr. Barbara Jones, at-large member; Dan Roblee, at-large member.
? The followings events are scheduled for later this month: a business after hours Feb. 19 at Regions Bank, a reception Feb. 21 at the chamber honoring Mike Ross and a networking luncheon Feb. 26 at KDMS/KLBQ Radio.
? The chamber welcomed the following new members: David Duchesne of Duke?s Recycling, Becky Moore of the Alzheimer?s Association and South Arkansas Family Care Center.”