Friday, December 22nd, 2017
Local firm plans major expansion
Dollar Tree store eyed in Celina
By William Kincaid
CELINA - A local manufacturer is gearing up for a multimillion dollar, job-creating expansion while a developer has its sights set on planting a Dollar Tree store in Celina.
Celina Planning Commissioners Jeff Hazel, Tom Hone and Ralph Stelzer on Thursday night took action to allow the two plans to move forward.
Versa Pak LTD aims to build a 37,000-square-foot manufacturing addition to its current plant, located at 500 Staeger Road in the Grand Lake Industrial Park, according to president Michael Brunswick. The facility would be constructed east of the existing building with a dock drive off of Braun Drive.
The project, a more than $11 million investment in building and equipment expenditures, is expected to create 22 new full-time jobs, adding roughly $775,000 in payroll, Brunswick pointed out.
After briefly reviewing the matter, commissioners unanimously approved the proposal.
Brunswick told the newspaper the company looks to break ground in spring and have the building up by mid-summer.
Versa Pak - which converts raw materials into flexible packaging of different types and sizes of bags, rolls, sheeting, tubing and shrink bundling film - became the industrial park's first tenant on Aug. 26, 2002, after city council members approved the sale of three acres of land to the business for $75,000. Since then, Versa Pak has undergone numerous expansions.
Commissioners also approved Cocca Development LTD's preliminary site plan for a Dollar Tree store on a 1.22 acre open lot off of Havemann Road located between Industrial Drive and Irmscher Boulevard, north of Peel's Pit Stop.
Jim Shipley, vice president of commercial leasing with Cocca Development LTD, said plans call for the construction of a 10,000-square-foot building. After the meeting, Shipley told the newspaper the developer will now seek building permits. It hopes to open the store sometime in 2018, he said, adding it likely would employ 10 to 15 people.
Dollar Tree stores sell housewares; glassware; dinnerware; cleaning supplies; candy, snacks and other food; health and beauty; toys; gifts, gift bags and wrap; party supplies; stationery; craft supplies; teaching supplies; books; and other items and have locations across the country.
