Thinking outside the box for Longview firm

LONGVIEW – Bates Container, a corrugated box manufacturer, has decided to increase its stake in Longview and plans to build a 110,000-sf, $6.3 million facility.

The Longview Economic Development Corp. will provide 19 acres in the Longview Business Park, near I-20, to the company, which will move from a 30,000-sf leased property on Eastman Rd. The $6.3 million price tag includes equipment purchases. Fifteen full-time jobs will be created by the project.

The company came to Longview ten years ago through a $60,000 incentive deal from LEDCO that drew 14 new jobs and about $1.75 million in machinery and equipment to the area.

Construction is expected to break ground on February 24 be complete by the end of 2014.