The chief executive officer of Appalachian Resins has confirmed for NEWS9 that the Houston-based company is preparing to build a new plastics production facility in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia.

CEO James Cutler said he can't release the exact location of the facility. However, officials with the Marshall County Commission told NEWS9 – though the deal isn’t finalized -- they are working with Appalachian Resins and it looks like the plant will be built in Marshall County.

Cutler said more than 1,500 people will be brought in for the construction of the facility. Once that's complete, Cutler said the company plans to create about 200 full-time positions.

He said the plastics production facility will use an ethylene plant to support its production of more than 500 million pounds of polyethylene per year.

In addition to the plant, the facility will include an ethane cracker.

Cutler said the plastics made at the plant will be used for items like grocery bags and cling wrap.

As to why the company chose the Northern Panhandle for the production facility, he said, "If you stand at our production site, approximately 80 percent of the polyethylene market is within 500 miles of the facility. So we have a situation where we have the raw material in close proximity to our proposed plant."

The company plans to start construction by the end of the year and Cutler said he hopes to begin production by the end of 2015.

Cutler said officials picked a site and the company is working on all of the details and securing permits. He said the facility is between a $400 million and $500 million investment, and company officials hope to announce the exact location very soon.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.

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