Governor Asa Hutchinson was on hand Wednesday to announce that 130 new jobs are coming to Fort Smith as a result of the expansion of the Mars Petcare Plant. TalkBusiness.Net reports that the company is making a $72 Million investment in the facility that currently employs 252 people.
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The immediate investment of $72 million will account for the 130 new jobs. The remaining investment of “around $40 million” will likely come into play in 2018 and could result in additional job creation, though he said it was too early to discuss beyond the 130 in Wednesday’s announcement, said Mark Broadhurst, director of government affairs for Mars U.S. and Canada.
Hutchinson released a statement Wednesday praising the company’s decision.
“Mars Petcare’s decision to expand this facility speaks highly of the company’s existing workforce in Fort Smith,” Hutchinson said. “This is a very significant investment that will impact not only the local economy but that of the state. Thanks to the leadership of Mars Petcare for choosing to grow in Arkansas and the associates who make it such a great place to work.”
The facility is the first sustainable pet food manufacturing plant in the world.
