A major supplier of white paper plates, design plates, cups, bowls and lunch bags, Aspen Products, Inc. will invest $13 million to locate a paper products manufacturing plant in Macon, Georgia. The Kansas City, Missouri-based company signed a long term lease on a 200,000 square foot facility in the Airport Industrial Park, with plans to employ 204 employees.

Shannon Walls, Plant Manager, East Coast Division, Aspen Products, stated that “I believe Macon to be a perfect fit for Aspen Products and everyone from our team that has been a part of this project has shared the same sentiment.”

“We have been welcomed with open arms and made to feel like this new town was full of old friends. We very much look forward to getting production up and going and becoming part of the local community,” Walls added. Production will begin early 2014.

“Innovative companies such as Aspen Products Inc. make an excellent addition to our ever-growing manufacturing network,” said Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. “Georgia is perfectly positioned to support major manufacturers across the globe, and we have no doubt that the nation’s No. 1 business climate will help Aspen Products succeed.”

“Aspen Products’ decision to locate its newest facility in Georgia highlights the importance of maintaining a competitive business climate for manufacturers,” said Chris Carr, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Our unmatched logistics infrastructure and ready-to-work talent pool are magnets for fast-growing manufacturing companies and we look forward to seeing Aspen Products take advantage of these resources.”

Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority Chairman, Cliffard Whitby said, “We are proud that Macon-Bibb county has the workforce, leadership and teamwork in place to encourage Aspen Products to locate its new facilities here. Having good corporate citizens and employers like Aspen Products enrich not only the lives of the families of those who work there, but also to quality of life in our entire community.”

Robbo Hatcher, Chairman of the Macon Economic Development Commission added, “Aspen's decision to locate their manufacturing expansion in Macon reflects the quality of our location and workforce relative to the needs of their business. It also builds on Team Macon's recent marketing success and continues our positive momentum in new business recruitment.”