CLINTON, Iowa – “This is an historic project for Clinton. … Its impact will last a lifetime.”
That’s the view of Clinton Mayor Scott Maddasion of a new $224 million project that will bring at least 100 new jobs to this community.
“This project is part of the continued livelihood of our community,” the mayor said as the new, state-of-the-art Atlas Roofing Corp. plant started to take shape on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The new plant, first announced in April, was at the center of attention during a groundbreaking ceremony that attracted more than 50 people from Atlas, its parent company Hood Industries, and the local business community.
If all goes according to plan, the asphalt shingle manufacturing plant will be open in about two years and cover much of 148 acres that is currently an empty field.
“This is going to be our ‘Fields of Dreams.’ We’re going to turn it into a reality,” said Warren Hood, president of Hood Industries, during Wednesday’s ceremony. He added that once complete, the new plant will be a modern, state-of-the-art facility that will be one of the best in North America.
Ken Farrish, the recently retired president of Atlas, went further. He said Wednesday the new Clinton plant “will be the best shingle factory anywhere in the world.”
Wednesday’s ceremony was held at the new plant’s future site in the Lincolnway Industrial Rail & Air Park. The Atlas Roofing plant is on the south side of Highway 30, next to O.T. R. Tire Sales & Repair, and directly across the highway from the Clinton Municipal Airport.
Construction work has already begun on the plant. Earthmoving equipment was at the site during the ceremony.
Andy Sokolovich, president and CEO of Grow Clinton, said the new Atlas plant will help more than just the Clinton economy. He pointed out the plant will also be near DeWitt and the project will create many construction jobs in the region.
“This is huge. The economic impact to the region will be great. …. We are going to be doing great things for the entire county,” he added before the ceremony.
Other officials at the ceremony pointed out the new Atlas plant will have a far-reaching impact on the region and state. Debi Durham, Iowa Economic Development Authority director, said that she is counting on Atlas making more home products because the state will need some 42,000 more housing units in the coming years. Atlas needs to make products to build those new homes, she added during Wednesday’s ceremony that was held outdoors, but under a tent in hot, windy conditions.
Sweltering weather also seemed to be on everybody’s minds during the ceremony. Mr. Maddasion said it was a historic day because of the Atlas project and the historically hot weather. Also, Mr. Hood thanked the crowd for making him feel welcome because he just arrived in Clinton from Mississippi where the temperature stood at 105 degrees.
Here are some of the numbers surrounding the new project:
- The new Atlas plant will hire between 100 to 120 employees once it is open.
- Wages are expected to start at $19.57 an hour.
- The plant is being built on 148 acres and the facility itself will be at least 400,000 square feet. Atlas officials on Wednesday said the plant size could expand to 500,000 square feet if business conditions warrant the growth.
- The plant is expected to open in 2025. Once open, it is expected to make all products currently being offered by Atlas including: shingles, roof and wall insulation, molded products and much more.
- The Atlas project has been in the works for about a year. It has been often referred to as Project New Horizon by economic development leaders during the planning stages.
From a single asphalt shingle manufacturing facility in 1982, Atlas has grown to 33 manufacturing facilities in North America providing worldwide product distribution.
Today, products from the company’s four major divisions – Polyiso Roof and Wall Insulation; Shingle and Underlayment; Molded Products; and Web Technologies – are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities and shipped to Atlas’ network of distribution facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Atlas Roofing Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hood Companies, Inc., a privately owned, closely held holding company. It is the parent to operating subsidiaries involved in the manufacture and distribution of forest and wood products, building and construction materials, and flexible and corrugated packaging products throughout North America.
