Jim Wamble could scarcely contain his awe before the crowd at the Ritz Theater and Convention Center in downtown West Point.
Wamble, president of Columbus-based Plum-Creek Environmental Technologies, was speaking at a Golden Triangle Development LINK-hosted event to formally announce his company moving to a new facility in West Point.
In an event that featured Gov. Phil Bryant, Wamble said it was hard to believe his company, founded in 2009, had come so far. Plum Creek is moving to West Point because it’s outgrown its Columbus facility.
“We’ve seen this before on the TV and in the newspapers, and it’s always this big corporation,” Wamble said. “This is surreal to me. But why not? We’ve been here a while and we pay taxes and shop here and employ people.
“Why not us?” Wamble asked again. “Who says it can’t be?”
Plum Creek employs 43 people, Wamble said. He said those jobs will move to West Point, with plans to add 50 more over the next two years. He said the company’s service operation will remain in Columbus, at least for the short term.
Bryant applauded Plum Creek’s accomplishments. He said it’s encouraging to see a home-grown business succeed.
“To a Mississippian, there’s nothing better than that,” Bryant said. “We love to bring companies from around the world, but to see these Mississippians — the families, the moms, the children — being involved as entrepreneurs and investing back in this state is remarkable.”
West Point Mayor Robbie Robinson said Plum Creek’s arrival in West Point is timely, with Babcock and Wilcox ceasing its industrial production in the town in the spring.
“We’ve got a workforce that can sustain and fill those 50 new jobs,” Robinson said.
Clay County Board of Supervisors President R.B. Davis said he’s also happy to see the company moving to Clay County.
“We are excited for Plum Creek to be coming to Clay County and West Point,” Davis said. “We’re excited for the job opportunities for our community. Anything we can do to help them with they’re endeavors, we’ll be there for them.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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