Inola Already Sees Impact After Large Production Plant Officially Opens

The tissue paper production plant Sofiedel has officially opened in Inola, bringing around 300 jobs with it.

Mayor Larry Grigg said the city has already seen an impact. He said the city's sales tax revenue is up 25% just through the construction phase of Sofidel.

He said the money is going toward infrastructure in town and a few projects, like a new sewer system. 

"We've done a lot, but a lot of it we probably wouldn't have gotten done without Sofidel building," he said.

Right now, there's around 300 people employed, with the chance to expand to up to 600 in the future.

Operations Site Manager Jose Zarandona said the new plant has the possibility to bring even more to town.

"All of our employees are from the area, also we can be an attraction for other businesses to come to the area, and we are located centrally in the country," Zarandona said. 

Mayor Grigg said through the growth, he hopes the town doesn't lose its country feel, but he's happy there's potential for even more business. 

"It's just kind of a snowball effect, it effects everything," Grigg said. 

The plant can produce around 120,000 tons of tissue annually.