KNOXVILLE (June 29, 2012) — Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett joined Republic Plastics President and CEO Gino Inman, members of the Knox County Air Quality Department and other Republic Plastics staff today in cutting the ribbon on the company’s latest expansion.

“With the recent expansion, Republic Plastics says they expect to create 100 or more new jobs in Knox County,” said Mayor Burchett. “This is the sort of growth you see when government keeps taxes low, stays out of the way of business and lets them do their job. Knox County is a great place to do business, and that’s obviously true for Republic Plastics.”

“County Mayor Tim Burchett was a key asset in our decision to continue our expansions in the Knox County area. He and his Knox County Air Quality team facilitated the quick permit reviews and approvals that helped us expedite the second Knox County site expansions,” said Inman. “The new K2 Facility has just completed the second expansion in just fifteen months of operation. Growth continues even in an economy that is in a downturn for most businesses.”

During the ribbon cutting event, Inman said another expansion is already in the works that could bring an additional 100 or more jobs, with the potential for Republic Plastics to ultimately employ a between 500 and 600 people in Knox County. Currently, the company has about 300 employees at their Knox County facilities in the Forks of the River Industrial Park.

About Republic Plastics:

Established in 1999, Republic Plastics manufactures premium private label foam products for the consumer-retail and institutional-foodservice tableware markets to compete with national brands. Republic Plastics supplies most U.S. grocery retailers with a private label tableware solution.