Sun Paper, Hutchinson sign intent letter to study $1.4B south Ark. plant

A Chinese paper company took another step Monday in the two-year planning process toward possible construction of a new pulp mill in south Arkansas.

Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co. Ltd. signed a letter of intent with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to study build the $1.4 billion project.

The company, which has a site selection due date of May 1, seeks to break ground in 2016 and have the mill operational by 2018.

Potential sites for the project when it was first announced in 2013 included Arkadelphia and Camden, according to Arkansas Business. At that time, a new mill was anticipated to employ 350.

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