State and business executives joined Armstrong World Industries for the groundbreaking of its new 30,000-square-foot plant in Millwood. An investment of $35 million, the plant will produce mineral wool fiber used in acoustic ceiling tile products. The project is expected to create up to 200 jobs during the construction phase and an initial 45 permanent jobs when the facility becomes operational.
The manufacturing plant will be located in the Jackson County Maritime and Industrial Centre, formerly owned by Century Aluminum. Armstrong officials report that proximity to the smelter was a factor in choosing the location. The smelting process produces the feedstock material used to make the mineral wool fibers.
The West Virginia Development Office helped provide low-interest financing for the project. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration provided a $2.1 million grant to improve site infrastructure. The plant construction is scheduled for completion by September 2011.