Kronospan expansion expected to create 125 jobs in Oxford
OXFORD, Ala. (WBMA) — The Oxford City Council approved tax abatements for Kronospan’s new Oriented Strand Board (OSB) manufacturing plant on its 460 acre site in the city at Thursday morning’s council meeting.
The city said the $350 million investment will create 125 new jobs and upon its completion, employ approximately 600 people with a total investment of over $1 billion since beginning operations in 2008.
Groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for later this year.
The city said the Calhoun County Commission is expected to approve their portion of tax abatements at this week’s commission meeting.
“We're very pleased to announce the next project at our Oxford site," says Hans Obermaier, CEO of Kronospan's North American companies. "This is not only an opportunity to further expand our portfolio of wood panel products in the United States but also meets our customers growing need for high quality construction materials. Just like the other plants on our site, the OSB plant will be constructed with our sustainability principles in mind and will further enhance our negative carbon footprint status."
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“This latest investment by Kronospan pushes them over the $1 billion mark, and that speaks for the quality and commitment from this company to our community. We are 100% behind them as they continue to expand their capabilities and we are grateful that they consistently have chosen to do so right here in Oxford. They creatively work in schools across the region to develop a talent pipeline to aid in recruiting their workforce," said Oxford Mayor Alton Craft.
They have initiated the only forklift training program of its kind in this area. By continuing to see success in things such as their forklift training program, the FAME program, regional classroom partnerships, and building community relationships, we feel confident that work done by our city and our local schools in partnership with our industries are steadily growing a strong, capable workforce right here in east Alabama. It has been our pleasure to work with Kronospan and the Economic Development Council to make sure we continue to provide good quality jobs to this region," Craft added.
