Alliance Barrier Films cut the ribbon Friday and are the first manufacturing plant along the southern half of I-69.
The $25 million facility opening was part of a ceremony that announced plans for a 40,000 to 60,000-square foot building along Washington's I-69 interchange. The shell building will have a rail line for CSX Corp.
Local, state and federal representatives were at Friday's ribbon cutting. Officials praised the collaboration of the city of Washington, Daviess County government, and the state for getting Alliance Barrier to Washington.
“A considerable amount of strategic collaboration between the city of Washington, elected officials of Daviess County, state agencies and the Daviess County Economic Development Corp. all worked together to make today’s advancement possible,” said Phil O’Haver, vice chairman of the Daviess County Economic Development Corp.
The facility makes plastic packaging for the food, retail and automotive industries. For example, they create bags for inside cereal boxes. They take plastic pellets from suppliers and through a process of seven extruders, a 70-foot tall cylinder of film is created. A blower then shoots a blast of air upward to cool the cylinder of film before it is cut and rolled.
Huff said the plant currently employs 20 but plans are to expand the plant in the next few years with several plant lines. As much as 70 could be working at the plant in the next three to four years.
"We look forward to creating jobs. We look forward to being successful," Huff said.
Next to the Alliance Barrier plant is 100 acres of land purchased by the Economic Development Foundation that will serve as the base for the new shell building. The building will share the rail line with Alliance Barrier. A construction timeline and cost for the new building were not available.