Atlantic Thermal Plastics, a maker of plastic footwear components, will open a new manufacturing facility in Pocahontas, Arkansas. The $3 million investment will be used primarily to retrofit an existing 113,000-square-foot building in preparation for production of polyurethane insoles to begin on or around June 1st. More than 100 people will be hired initially, with an additional 100 jobs planned by the end of 2009. Atlantic Thermal Plastics is owned by the Rhode Island-based Newgrange Group LLC. "The support we have received from Arkansas, combined with the state's strategic central location and skilled, hard workers, allows us to compete in an intensively competitive global economy," says John Carroll, chairperson of Newgrange Group. It will be the company's second Arkansas facility.