Mississippi company adding 100 jobs at equipment plant

NEWTON, Miss. (AP) - A company that makes tools used for mining and other projects is expanding its plant in Mississippi, adding 100 jobs.

The Meridian Star reported The Weir Group plans to spend $15 million at its ESCO plant in Newton to add the positions.

The Mississippi Development Authority said in a news release the increase will mean more than 400 people work at the plant. That’s a 60 percent increase from 2016.

The plant in Newton opened in 1971 and makes tools used in infrastructure projects in addition to mining operations. More than 80 percent of the company’s products are exported.

The Weir Group is a Scotland-based mining equipment manufacturer and acquired the ESCO Corporation last July.

The expansion is expected to be finished by August.

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Information from: The Meridian Star, http://www.meridianstar.com