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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Dansons USA Plans Hope, Arkansas, Barbecue Wood Pellet Mill

02/11/2021
Global consumer goods corporation Dansons USA will open the country's largest barbecue wood pellet mill and distribution center in Hope, Arkansas. The project is expected to create approximately 50-100 new jobs in the next three years.

According to company officials, the facility, which is approximately 335,000 square feet and sits on 143 acres, will initially start with three pelleters and a 100,000-ton capacity, but has the infrastructure for eventual expansion to 300,000 tons and nine pelleters. The site will also serve as a distribution center for wood pellets as well as wood pellet barbecue grills.

"We are blessed to be able to expand our operation and open our new pellet mill location in Hope, Arkansas," said Dansons President Jeff Thiessen. "The state of Arkansas has been the most welcoming, most friendly and most encouraging location we've ever done business in. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission, from the town, county and state level, has welcomed us with open arms from the onset of this project. As a family-owned business, the personal touches that have come from Governor Hutchinson and Secretary Preston's offices, as well as those from Jack Thomas and Steve Harris with the state and local EDC, have meant a lot to us. We believe in relationships and people and we really like the people we are working with."

The site, which Dansons said will be the crown jewel of its pellet creation and distribution operation, is a former Georgia-Pacific facility, and has a strong infrastructure for wood processing. The town of Hope also has extensive fiber processing abilities, with several sawmills, paper mills and particle board plants already in the area. The pellets will be manufactured for the Pit Boss Grills and Louisiana Grills brands and are a 100% all-natural product that are free of artificial flavors, spray scents and binders.

"This is a great day for the city of Hope," Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston said. "Dansons is renowned for their exceptional products and community involvement, and I know they will have a huge impact on economic and community development in Southwest Arkansas. I look forward to continuing to work with them as they join Arkansas' diverse business community."

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