News Summary
USG Corporation has announced a major expansion of its wallboard manufacturing plant in Jacksonville, creating around 20 new jobs. This $7.9 million investment aims to enhance production capabilities and product offerings. The expansion, which includes new equipment, will allow USG to meet the demands of its customers across the U.S. and Canada. Mayor Lenny Curry supports the growth, emphasizing its positive impact on the local economy and job market.
Jacksonville – USG Corporation has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing operations at its Jacksonville wallboard plant, which is expected to create approximately 20 new jobs. This expansion is part of broader investments aimed at enhancing the facility’s manufacturing capabilities and product offerings, with the total construction costs projected to be around $7.9 million. This investment may reach a total of at least $8.8 million with additional permits planned.
The Jacksonville plant, which has been in operation since 1939, currently employs approximately 150 workers and produces over 23 million sheets of wallboard each year. As the largest distributor of wallboard in the United States, USG manufactures several well-known brands including SHEETROCK, FIBEROCK, and Tuff Hide. The product distribution extends not just nationwide but also to Central and South America, establishing the plant as a key distribution center for a range of gypsum products.
Construction for the expansion is expected to finalize by the end of 2018 and includes an investment in new equipment aimed at improving production efficiency and the introduction of innovative products such as the Securock ExoAir 430 panels. These advancements will allow USG to better meet the demands of its customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Mayor Lenny Curry has expressed support for the expansion, emphasizing USG’s commitment to driving economic growth and job creation in Jacksonville. This expansion marks a positive trend for both the company and the local job market, as it builds on the facility’s long-standing history in the area.
The USG Jacksonville plant occupies a 42.8-acre property that has a storied history, originally serving as the site for the Cummer Lumber Company, established in 1896. The lumber company quickly became the largest employer in the Jacksonville area, contributing significantly to the local economy. Following the company’s closure after the death of its founder Wellington Wilson Cummer in 1909, the site transitioned to various uses, ultimately evolving into a wallboard manufacturing plant for USG.
The area surrounding the plant, historically known as Milldale, was initially developed to support the workforce at the timber mill, with housing and local amenities provided for the workers. Milldale’s community identity persisted through significant demographic changes over the years, and it was designated as the Charles E. Bell Subdivision in recognition of the local real estate developer. The neighborhood predominantly served African American populations, which was reflective of the social and economic dynamics of the time.
As time progressed, the industrialization of the area led to the clearance and redevelopment of Milldale, resulting in a noticeable shift from residential uses to industrial operations. Streets and segments that once defined the community, including Cummer Avenue—which has since been renamed Evergreen Avenue—exemplify this transition. Originally serving as a primary thoroughfare for mill workers, it now connects through industrial zones, diminishing the historical fabric of the community.
Overall, as USG Corporation embarks on this expansion journey, it signifies not only an increase in production capabilities but also an acknowledgment of the rich history embedded within the Jacksonville community. The expansion stands to benefit the local economy while honoring the legacy of the area’s past industrial activities.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: USG Expanding Jacksonville Plant
- Wikipedia: Jacksonville
- Metro Jacksonville: Surprising Things Manufactured in Jax
- Google Search: Jacksonville manufacturing
- The Jaxson Mag: Milldale – A Long Forgotten Early Jacksonville Mill Town
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
- News4Jax: A Stench in Time – Jacksonville’s Stink History
- Google News: Jacksonville history
