Van Buren Press Argus-Courier - Van Buren
Kenneth Fry (Editor)
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Congressman Steve Womack of Rogers toured the Oxane Materials plant at the Van Buren Industrial Park on Thursday, touting the company for helping to establish jobs in West Central Arkansas.

"We appreciate what you are doing to help get America back on its feet," the Republican representative said.

Oxane Materials manufactures highly conductive ultralight ceramic proppants which are used in shale exploration for natural gas.

"We are very proud to have Oxane as a part of our community," Mayor Bob Freeman said. "We will do everything we can to help make Oxane successful and be part of that success."

Plant manager Brian Hunter was quick to point out that support from the Van Buren and Fort Smith chambers of commerce and the area's strong workforce were two of the main reasons Oxane moved to Van Buren, selecting the local site after considering more than 80 facilities in eight states.

"Within hours of the city and chambers learning we might come to Van Buren, we had the information we needed to get us into this 200,000-square-foot building," said Cindy Ulmer, Oxane's human resource manager.

During the Dec. 28, 2009, announcement that it would locate in Van Buren, Oxane touted the area's "excellent logistics for bringing in raw materials and shipping the finished product, a great workforce, and a very business-minded community."

Oxane announced it would initially invest $15 million in the plant, which is located on Industrial Park Road. Expansion plans are anticipated through 2014 and could bring an additional $32 million investment and total employment of 300.

Oxane currently employs 65 and is operating one production line 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As part of the effort to get Oxane to locate in the area, the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce offered $25,000 when Oxane hired its first local employee, another $25,000 after its first sale and a final $25,000 when Oxane's finalizes phase one of its production facility.

In July, the chamber presented the second $25,000 check to Oxane.