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Procter & Gamble Co. picks Box Elder

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Stan | 6:02 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Being from Box Elder County, I guess that is good, but it would be nice if it were a company that offered more white collar work. We already have Malt-O-Meal, Lazyboy, AutoLiv, Nucore Steel, and Liberty Foods. I'd like to see a company that recruited college graduates to move to the area.
Birdman | 7:28 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Looks like our Tremonton community and surrounding area will continue to grow and its small town flavor that so many of us have enjoyed over the years will continue to shrink.
Joe | 8:41 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I am not sure in the end it is what the Iowa String needs or wants..."greenfield" I think not. Big ugly plant I think so.
Comments continue below
Dexter | 9:14 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Good point Stan. Don't forget the Wal-Mart distribution center and Tartar Gate manufacturing facility.
The article says average wage is approximately $21,000 in Box Elder County but they don't include the fact that many women stay at home in Box Elder. Actually census data lists the average household income as $48,000. For example, ATK (Thiokol) pays $60,000 to $90,000 per year. These jobs will actually lower average household income in the area.
They are building here because wages are low and they can get a subsidy of $85 million. It is ironic that the Box Elder School District has put forth a $70 million election bond and the new plant will get property tax credits leaving residents to bear the burden of new school construction.
I predict that illegal aliens and meth addicts will be the majority of their employees, probably living in the Malad area.
Charles | 9:35 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
It never ceases to amaze me how naive and greedy rural communities' politicians are-- willing to sacrifice their true quality of life for a few jobs and the promise of more tax dollars. Juab County political yokels bought into a new "odorless" rendering plant and now regret it. Box Elder County will soon feel the same way. Can you smell the pollution already? Paper product manufacturing is not a clean industry, no matter how they promote it. Industrial wasteland is not my idea of progress.
kl | 9:53 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
makes no sence
California Dreamer | 10:00 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Dexter is right. The plant will become a magnet for illegal aliens. Bienvenidos todos

As a native former Utahn, I was contmplating moving back to that area when I retired to enjoy its rural beauty.

No thanks. I've changed my mind. I've already got pollution, meth labs, and illegals where I am.
Involved | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
A note to Charles, P&G will not be producing paper at this plant. Rolls will be brought in on rail cars and proceesed from there.
Charles | 10:24 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Yeah right. A rose by any other name....
Get Real | 11:12 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
"Quality of Life" doesn't mean a thing if you haven't a job.

Also, "median income" is not the same as "average income". Median in the context of this story means that half of the working population earns below $21,000, while half earn more than $21,000. If you have five people, two make $100,000/year, two make $15,000/year, and one makes $21,000/per, then the median income is $21,000/year and the average income is $50,200/year.
to get real | 11:40 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Can you tell me if median income includes retirees living on social security? Box Elder County has 80% more residents 65 years or older then the State average. Also, what about housewives who work at a part time job? Doesn�t that affect the median income? Include the huge amount of migrant farm workers from Mexico that work in Box Elder County and all the fast food jobs. Household income in Box Elder County is higher then the rest of the State at $48,000 according to 2004 census data.
Trout-P | 11:42 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Our state Government in bed with Tax right-offs!
Don't you wish that you average Joe Citizen could have tax breaks like those that are given by State Leaders?
Amazing to me that we have a Voucher System argument going on in this State and dividing citizens and then property taxes going up almost everywhere, yet when it comes to giving back to the people the State would rather give to an outsider in the form of tax breaks. Would that we were so lucky to have OUR OWN tax breaks.
Utah what a goofy State now! Must be those Mormons...might as well blame them,,,everyone else does...

"Have a Good Day Neighbors" "Welcome to Utah"
give us your hungry, your poor, and we will still see to it that they remain hungry and poor."
Dunno | 11:51 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I need a job...
Jake | 11:57 a.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Is working at the P&G plant manufacturing toilet paper considered a career that requires a college education, or at least a high school diploma or isn�t it just a dead end job?
cuz | 12:03 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
not a meth addict or illegal i just need a job. to put food on the table.
My My My | 12:06 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Listen to yourselves. Seems like I heard comments similar to these when Nucor came to BE County. Nucor is still there and still producing jobs.

Meth addicts probably will be screened through drug testing, if P&G follows national trend for employers.

Illegals are a problem everywhere. P&G may add to the issue, but by no means will it be the cause of the influx. Fast food places seem to be the largest magnet in BE County, according so some writers.

I wish BE County were the way it was when I grew up there. It isn't and won't ever be. Options are few: Get over it, get out of it, or be miserable in it.

Whiz Bang | 12:08 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Dunno--You can thank the illegal aliens for making less than you would once you find one...

If you want a career, I would suggest you need an education more than a job.
Anonymous | 12:10 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
is there a link where I can apply for a job?
to my my my | 1:18 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
If you don't live in Box Elder County anymore you may not realize that the area from Ogden to Malad is becoming known for its huge problems with meth. Meth only stays in a users system for three days at the most. Someone gets fired from Lazyboy, they wait until they are clean and get a job at Wal-Mart DC then when fired from there they can move to the new Nucor Building System Plant or the new P&G plant.
Concerning the new Nucor plant, I haven't heard of any openings but supposedly all high level positions are filled. They brought employees from their plants in other states and hired from the Vulcraft plant where they made similar wages. Sure there will be many labor positions available but no one needs to even graduate high school for those postitions.
paul | 1:51 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
soon all the beautiful fruit orchards will be gone in that area.
Joe | 2:06 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I understand that Brigham City will be selling P&G 4 million gallons of water a day for the use at the plant..they will put a dedicated line from Brigham City to the plant and one back to Brigham City for the waste water. Wow!! I am not sure that Mr. Huntsman really has our best interest in mind. Nothing in the article stated that fact...could you report a little more of what else has been given away.......The local paper said that pulp would be shipped in not rolls like INVOLVE stated.
TNCAREORBUST@YAHOO.COM | 2:23 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I HAVE BEEN AROUND PROCTOR & GAMBLE FOR OVER 40 YEARS. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, P&G WILL ONLY BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR TO THE BOX ELDER COMMUNITY. QUIT ALL THE CARPING, ESPECIALLY ABOUT ILLEGAL ALIENS, P&G WOULD NOT, COULD NOT, EMPLY THEM. THE COMPANY POLICY FOR OVER 150 YEARS: IF YOU AREN'T A PROVEN US CITIZEN, YOU DON'T WORK FOR THEM, PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS. AS FAR AS POLLUTION, P&G DOES IT'S UTMOST, FAR AND ABOVE WHAT IS REQUIRED BY THE CLEAN AIR ACT, AND ANY STATE & LOCAL REGULATIONS. ONE ONLY HAS TO LOOK AT THEIR HUGE FACILITY AT JACKSON, TN., TO SEE WHAT P&G DOES FOR THE COMMUNITIES IT BRINGS PLANTS INTO. BE GRATEFUL, BOX ELDER COMMUNITY, YOU HAVE A STAR, A-ONE NEIGHBOR ABOUT TO MOVE IN. YOU COULD HAVE NO BETTER LARGE CORPORATION TO YOUR COMMUNITY. AS I SAID, I KNOW WHAT I SPEAK HERE IS PURE UNADULTERATED FACT; I'VE BEEN AROUND P&G FOR OVER 40 YEARS, AND NO, I HAVE NEVER BEEN EMPLOYED BY THEM.
Josh | 2:31 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I am just glad that I will be leaving the area soon. Looks just like more of the same crappy jobs. Half of Malad works here already, so how exactly is that creating Utah jobs? Bring on the the Spuds!
Not from Utah | 2:34 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I don't live in the area, but I have worked for P&G for the last 13 years, so here's my response to some of your comments (in no particular order):
P&G does not hire illegal aliens.
Everyone worker must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
P&G recruits managers from colleges all over the country as well as promotes "techs" from the floor.
P&G pays for college reimbursement for "techs" that want a degree.
P&G goes ABOVE and beyond every and any environmental rule and restriction mandated by the local, state, and federal government.
P&G only drug tests for pre-employment, drug abusers are weeded out because their performance and attendance is consequently affected.
P&G is the SAFEST place to work - to the point that it sometimes seems "overkill". Now, my fear; with a 98% white populaton and with the majority of women staying at home, I am concerned that the workers P&G hires from the area will be too "set in their ways" to accept the diversity that P&G will bring. Will they be able take "orders" from thier 26yr old black female manager?
Not from Utah | 2:45 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
One more thing: P&G ships in bales of pressed pulp from tree farms in Canada(softwood) and South America(hardwood). The bales weigh about 500lbs each. They are mixed with water to create pulp (slurry) and is piped to the wetend of the papermachine. There is NO external odor associated with the process.
Also, from a water perpective - the majority of water is recycled and reused in a closed loop process.
California Dreamer | 2:54 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
California will be happy to export all the fruit that you need. Of course, it will be green and hard and have no flavor, just like we have here. And if we don't export it to you, Mexico will! That is the beauty of NAFTA and the "new world order."
Concerned | 2:57 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
1000 new jobs. Has anyone thought about what that means to a local economy? Home values will go up, more doctors, and service people will be needed, more groceries will be sold, more hair cuts will be needed. There are lots of ripple effects that 1000 new jobs bring. That all increases that tax base and increases tax revenue to local and state governments. That is why this is good thing and why the governor worked so hard to get P&G here.
The Sky is Following | 3:00 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Every time there is a large economic event, the Naysayers come out in large numbers and predict the end of the community. "Soon all of the beautiful orchards...gone," increased meth use, illegal alients, blah, blah blah blah blah.

Yet historically none of these things can be traced to singular economic events. Utah is growing people. We need jobs. If you don't like the type of companies coming to your town, then start your own and pay the wages you say you need. Only problem with that is complainers rarely can do what they whine about.
swrl | 3:32 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
You think Casch Valley air was polluted before, can't wait for the inversions. Is the company going to pay for the fans to change the environment? I hope someone considered that the cooler air of the mountains will conflict, even if it is looped. At least its not nuclear.
BH | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
What a bunch of ingrates! Here is a wonderful opportunity for employment in the area and everyone is down on it. What is wrong with you folks?

Judging from the way some of you are figuring the wages in BE county, sounds like P&G is in real trouble if they need to hire locals with good math skills. To suggest that P&G's $42k average wages is lower than most jobs in the area because BE County's average annual household income is $48k, is, well, just downright stupid. Contrary to what you may think, better than 50% of BE county housholds have dual incomes.

And to the person complaining about how unsightly a manufacturing plant will be on Iowa String Road, when is the last time you drove the road? It isn't exactly the scenic route!

So the wages are not up to ATK. At least P&G won't have employment levels going up and down like a yo-yo. (No matter if there is a Democrat or Republican in the White House, the requirement for toilet paper remains pretty constant.) Plus you won't have to worry if the building you work in will blow up some day:-)
BH | 4:05 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
swrl:

What data have you reviewed that you are basing this increase in air pollution upon?

News flash! The Proctor & Gamble plant will have near zero emmisions. Have you ever driven past the Kimberly Clark plant in norther Weber County? Have you seen all the air pollution they put out? You haven't? Why not? Because there is none!!

Please, please, do not dream up all types of negative viewpoints about this opportunity for BE county. In God we trust. All others bring facts!
Yoda | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
So they recruit college graduates for management positions, but being a graduate is not required?
RH | 4:37 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
It seem's a toilet paper plant is in order for all the whiners BS about what seems to be a great thing for BE county.
June Bug | 4:56 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
100 jobs will not change the local economy. Naivet� apparently remains abundant in Utah.

Actually, a nuclear plant would be far more beneficial to the environment and the economy.
Not from Utah | 5:11 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Question for Swrl; just what kind of emissions do you think a paperplant emits? Yes, there will be some PM, but the majority of it will be caught in scrubbers/bag houses. Perhaps some VOC from the variuos additives/process chemicals will escape through the steam stacks, but they will all be regualated,and reported. If they are going to be mass burning coal - then yes, inversion layers would be a fear factor. Even if they do burn coal, I'm pretty sure they would use reduced SOx coal. It's not 1885 anymore.
Hey "not in UT" | 5:21 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
As for your comment about the workers being able to "take orders from their black 26 yr. old female manager." What kind of comment is that? What about ALL of the managers moving from (likely) liberal big cities to convservative rural areas? Will the management be respectful of the locals? Trust me, skin color is NOT the only factor when it comes to "diversity" in a company. Two WHITE people (which is what you are referring to) can be COMPLETELY diverse in every aspect of their beliefs and work ethic, personal standards, etc. so don't assume that just because all of the locals may be "white" doesn't mean there isn't diversity. If what you're really trying to say is that Utahn's (or mormons) aren't respectful of people of other races, then you truly are ignorant.
JH | 5:56 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I am concerned about the Shoeshone Indian tribe and there concerns with the land that P & G has bought since it is one of their ancestrial buriel grounds. I hope they have been brought into the loop.
LJ | 6:04 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I am more than offended by the P&G employee who wondered how someone from Box Elder county will handle taking orders from a 26 year old black female manager. His statement says alot about what P&G feels about the local culture. Since he is an employee having the time to review the comments from the local hillbillies makes be think that he must be in management. Sad, sad, sad.
Will N | 6:08 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I think it is good thing. I worked for P&G in Cincinnati for several years in the late nineties and traveled to their plants in PA and MO on a regular basis. P&G was a good neighbor and the communities benefited from this. I would return to work for P&G again if given the chance simply for the way I was treated.
Not in Utah | 6:16 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
You are absolutely right, Diversity has very little to do with skin color; it is about capabilizing on different perspectives. I wasn't trying to "say" anything, I was (and still am) stating a fear and trying to ask a question. There will be managers (and maybe some techs) moving in from liberal big cities, and from middle class suburbia, and from the deep south, and from across the Atlantic, and from, quite honestly, anywhere in the world. The P&G culture is about inclusiveness and it is its own culture regardless of it's demograph. My question is a question, it is not an assumption; do you think it will be hard for Utahns to accept an inclusive and diverse culture? You are also right about my ignorance, I have never been to Utah and I only know what I see in the media; that is precisely why I am asking.
Not in Utah | 6:41 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
Disclaimer - these are my questions, my opinions, my writing, (and by the way, on my time!). I do not speak for the Procter & Gamble Company. Just wanted to make it clear that while I might be offending you, please don't assume that all P&Ger's are me. Also - hey, sorry about offending - seriously didn't mean to!!
Love the Landscape | 7:03 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I from Box Elder County and I love the smallness of it. I love the land and the farms on that land. It is difficult for me to see this company come. Ruining my wonderful landscape. I hate to see it ruined with a big building. They say it will bring jobs and money to Utah. Both are good things, but as others have mentioned these are not jobs that many people will want. You can say what you want, but it's true. No one grows up wanting to work at the Proctor and Gambel plant. Another thing about the plant is that they anticipate that other companies will come to the area because of it. This is where I have the biggest problem I don't want growth in my area. I don't want more people. I want my small towns and farms. The farms and small towns are the most appealing thing about Box Elder county, why are we allowing that to be thrown away?
Joe Torre | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I'd like to put my name in for consideration for one of the upper management jobs...

Joe | 7:15 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I think back when Thiokol came to Box Elder county and brought at the start over 6000 jobs. Many, many people from across the nation came with Thiokol. High level jobs with alot of education. It brought more diversity than P&G will. Alot of those people are still here. Why would anyone say something that we need diversity. Who is this guy.
Economist | 7:34 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I've witnessed other countries give huge tax benefits to companies when they build manufacturing facilities overseas. I applaud Utah/Box Elder county for trying to be competitive. The greater the number of manufacturing jobs gained, the stronger our economy. Those who think the new P&G plant will have a negative economic impact are foolish. As a generalization, many who like the small town atmosphere haven't experienced life anywhere else. There are two sides to every story, but a strong economy is important to everyone. Would you rather be unemployed and living all alone to die in your trailer house in the sage brush of Corinne? People fear economic progress because they lack education. Move to Snowville if you like small town living and the rest of us will improve our standard of living with a new job at P&G, Toyota, or any other factory that comes to town. I'm hoping I can move back to the true Northern Utah now that there may be some jobs that pay competitively. I had to move away when I graduated from USU because the local jobs were paying about 20% less than elsewhere.
Re: Economist | 8:41 p.m. Oct. 18, 2007
I'm with you Economist. I went away to graduate school outside of Utah and decided to come back to Box Elder County to my roots. I had to accept less pay than I would have got elsewhere. I love the area and think it is great that more jobs will be generated. Maybe more local talent will be able to stay here.
Just Thinking | 9:57 a.m. Nov. 16, 2007
I'm Glad I finally got to the positive section of the comments!!! Since we don't want jobs in BE Co. let P&G go to another state, oh wait, they might not want them there either! then let them go to China, or Mexico, that way we will be complaining about how our jobs keep going abroad. My point is complainers will always be complainers, they'll just find another reason to complain.
Illegal immigrants you say? If you hate the fact so much, I've got an idea for you, next time you want to consume a product from a company, or fast food restaurant, you believe employs illegal immigrants DON'T DO IT! If illegal workers are still employed is because there is a demand, a demand that we all create. and yes, I am an Immigrant! (once Illegal).
Meth labs, again cut the demand and there will be no meth.
Efirefly | 2:52 p.m. Nov. 21, 2007
I've worked for P&G for 30 years in another part of the country (Jackson, TN). We would love to have your plant coming here. You have a better location for distribution, but I assure you that we will be happy to take a second P&G plant any time. I'm sorry that so many of you have such an awful picture of a P&G plant. We work very hard to be a good neighbor wherever we are. Again, I'm just a regular employee, not a corporate spokesperson, but P&G is a good citizen. You can tell I like my company. The company has provided me and my family with a good living, an excellent retirement, lots of benefits, and an employer to be proud of in our community. The company leadership is overall very honest and try to follow the spirit as well as the letter of the law. That's been true at any plant in P&G that I've been to - in the US and out of the US. Hope this helps you in your worries about the plant...
tinger | 7:47 p.m. Jan. 28, 2008
Yo!!! Just like to know the hours? weekends off?
benefits? opportunity for advancement? contact person?
would this company match an employers wage from his former employment?
who to send an resume? Is their a link on the web that talks about this company and the expectation of its employees?
Kass | 12:19 p.m. March 10, 2008
when and where can we apply for this job?

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