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Mood celebratory as
Continental Carbonic “officially” opens
By Bob Robinson
“This is the largest (manufacturing) project to come to Darke County in
30 years… it represents a $15 million investment.” Jeff Hoagland, CEO
of Dayton Development Corporation.
“This is a big deal. It is the biggest investment, and moment, in our
history. It creates an opportunity for expansion and growth.” Bob
Weiseman, Vice President and CEO, Continental Carbonic.
“This is not our first working relationship with Continental Carbonic.
They are good corporate citizens; they care about their employees,
their community.” Neil McKinstray, Vice President, Andersons Ethanol
Division.
“Ten months ago, carbon dioxide was going into the air. Today (it is
being used to add jobs to our economy).” Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers.
The mood was celebratory among the more than 100 attendees to
Continental Carbonic’s Grand Opening Thursday morning. Attending
included Darke County Commissioners Mike Stegall, Diane Delaplane and
Mike Rhoades, several members of Greenville City Council and a number
of other local and state elected officials. Senator Bill Beagle was
there, along with Gov. Kasich’s Western Ohio Regional Liaison, Sandra
Brasington.
“In my opinion, this is a start,” said Stegall before the ceremony.
“It’s the first spin-off from the ethanol plant with more to come. It’s
simply amazing how lucky we are to have them here.”
He noted that the best move the county has made in 25 years was hiring
(Economic Development Director) Marc Saluk. He said that Saluk seems to
be working 24/7 to jump-start Darke County’s economy.
“We’re killing him, but we’re glad about it,” he said, laughing.
Weiseman said the plant is working 24 hours a day, seven days a week
and currently has 51 employees. The company has committed to more than
70 jobs over time.
“We are an agricultural community,” Bowers said. “Ethanol fits well
into agribusiness, a mainstay in our county. We appreciate the efforts
of everyone involved in bringing Continental Carbonic here.”
Saluk, whose leadership helped make the project a reality, gave the
credit to Partners 4 Progress, and his employer, Community Improvement
Corporation.
“Continental Carbonic did the heavy lifting,” he said, “but P4P, CIC
and the City of Greenville made sure (that the doors were open to get
it done).”
Saluk added that in the past 20 months under P4P’s leadership, 373 jobs
were saved or created, translating into a $14.9 million annual payroll.
Two proclamations were presented to Continental Carbonic… the first by
Brasington on behalf of the governor; the second by the Darke County
Commissioners.
Continental Carbonic manufactures dry ice from CO2 (Carbon Dioxide, a
by-product of the manufacturing of ethanol). It receives the CO2
through a pipe connection with its neighbor, Andersons Ethanol. With
the addition of its Greenville plant, the 35-year-old Illinois-based
company has four facilities in Ohio.
To read companion story, Continental Carbonic Tour, click here
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