$400 million expansion, new jobs coming to Macon-Bibb tissue plant. Here are the details.

Irving Tissue, which makes household paper products, celebrated its grand opening in Macon-Bibb County Wednesday morning by announcing it already has an expansion planned for the facility.

The plant, which currently has more than 200 employees, has outgrown its 700,000-square foot property in south Bibb County and will double its capacity.

The company also will add 150 more jobs at the plant, according Robert K. Irving, president, Irving Tissue.

“It is a great day for Macon, the state of Georgia and Irving Tissue. We’re pleased to be expanding our business in the United States. We knew that this plant’s strategic location would allow us to reach key markets and help to drive our growth,” Irving said.

Phase one, announced in 2017 and completed earlier this year on Allen Road, cost $470 million. The plant makes bath tissue and paper towels.

Now Phase two of the facility is expected to be completed by 2022 and will cost $400 million. Work on the expansion is expected to begin immediately, according to a press release from Irving Tissue.

“We are thrilled and delighted (J.D. Irving, Ltd. has) chosen to locate and expand their facility for their consumer products division - Irving Tissue - in Macon-Bibb County,” Robert A.B. Reichert, mayor, Macon-Bibb County, said at the morning event.

About Irving Tissue

Irving Tissue is part of Irving Consumer Products, a Canada-based company that manufacturers household paper and baby diaper products. For more information about the company, visit irvingconsumerproducts.com

This story was originally published November 13, 2019 at 12:14 PM.