Rusken, Inc. to employee up to 200 in old A.G. Plant

The old American Greetings plant is silent now, but it will soon be buzzing with activity when the new Rusken facility is up to speed. (Democrat Tribune photo/Dan Brawner)

The American Greetings plant in Harrisburg, which once had as many as 500 people working, will again be teeming with life according to both Poinsett County Judge Charles Nix and Harrisburg Mayor Donnie Faulkner.

Rusken Packaging, headquartered in Cullman, Ala., will basically expand it's Jonesboro operation to include the facility located south of Harrisbrg on Arkansas Highway 1.

Rusken is a manufacturer of corrugated shipping containers with a market area encompassing the entire southern United States. According to Rusken's website, it is a family owned business started in 1974 and has grown to be one of the largest manufacturers of its kind in the world.

With a possibility of 200 jobs being available in the future, the plant will open with 50 jobs to begin with, hopefully by Sept. 1, said Faulkner.

Rusken has additional facilities in Atlanta, Jackson, Tenn., Jackson, Miss. And Tupelo, Miss. The company's primary aim is both custom shipping as well as gift boxes.

Part of the incentive for moving to Harrisburg was the economic incentive of $75,000 which the city provided.

"We gave them that for the first 50 employees," said Faulkner. "Plus they will get another $1,000 for each employee after that."

The funds for this came from a city sales tax which was passed a number of years ago and provides $8,500 per month to the city.

"About one third of it is for economic development," continued Faulkner.

Location was also a factor in the choosing to open in Harrisburg as well, said Nix.

"One thing which attracted them was the fact that we are so close to Memphis and that Highway 63 will soon be I-555." said Nix. "Memphis is a huge distribution center and we're right in the (transportation) corridor."

While they will begin by renting just the offices and half of the manufacturing facility itself, there is a possibility that the operation could eventually encompass the entire 430,000 square-foot-facility.

"They are in the process now of cleaning it up and painting it," said the Judge. "They'll have the offices ready to move in pretty soon, they hope. September is their target date to get into the building."

Average salary is expected to be $12 to $15 per hour, said Nix.

Nix and Faulkner both pointed out that the announcement would prove to be a boon for not only Harrisburg, but Poinsett County as well, since the employment would improve the economic base.

Rusken will be taking applications through the Office of Arkansas Employment Security. Those interested in applying should call 935-5594.