City leaders say Inola won't be recognizable in 5 years after paper tissue plant opens
INOLA, Okla. (KTUL) -- What's often called a small bedroom community neighboring Tulsa, is working to change that narrative.
Inola, the new home to Sofidel, an international paper mill plant, believes having this facility is the future of the town.
It'll bring 400 new jobs, and the company is looking to hire 150 right now.
"Five years from now, this town will probably not be recognizable as it is today," said Donnie Chasten, Inola Chamber of Commerce President.
It's a mindset he firmly believes in.
"We're at the here and now, and it's going to grow with or without us. Inola is open for business," said Chasten, and it's all because of the paper mill plant.
The Italian company, Sofidel, picked Inola to invest in as its second facility in the United States.
The facility is on the site that originally was supposed to be a nuclear power plant. Plans to build the plant were scrapped back in 1970, and it's been vacant since.
"The fact that Sofidel America chose Inola was unreal for us, in an economic way as well as any other way," said Chasten.
"It was easy to go in and have the resource. It was a good spot to plug in and start digging," said Amy Hossain, HR Manager for Sofidel America.
With a company making an investment like this, Chasten said it's important for the town to be ready, and more people means more money for the growing community.
"The taxes will greatly enhance the budget for Inola Public Schools. More tax dollars into the community will help build the town," said Hossain.
The chamber is working with developers to add more apartments and housing to town before the facility opens in the next year.
