POCAHONTAS, Ark. (AP) -- A $3 million plastics plant opening in Pocahontas initially will employ 100 people and will have 200 workers by the end of 2009, officials announced Tuesday.

 

Arkansas Atlantic Thermal Plastics, which makes components for footwear, plans to move into a 113,000-square-foot building that had housed Northern Technologies.

 

Arkansas Atlantic, which is owned by Newgrange Group LLC of North Smithfield, R.I., said it will begin production by June 1. The company plans to spend $3 million to outfit the plant.

 

Newgrange Group has another Arkansas plant, America's Choice Products in Newport, which also makes molded footwear and products.

 

The Pocahontas plant will make polyurethane insole products for companies including Red Wing Shoes and Wolverine and for the military. The plant also will make rubber boots.

 

''The support we have received from Arkansas combined with the state's strategic central location and skilled, hard workers allows us to compete in an intensively competitive global economy,'' Newgrange Group chairman John Carroll said. ''This will be our second facility in Arkansas, with a combined workforce of 300, and our experience in the state has more than met our expectations.''

 

Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Director Wayne Gearhart said he couldn't emphasize enough the importance of these jobs to Pocahontas and the county.