West Memphis is in the final stages of reportedly bringing a Memphis-based water filtration firm to the area, according to city officials.
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon recently told the Memphis Business Journal that Glanris Inc., a water filtration company, will make a $3 million investment that will include the creation off about 150 jobs over the next three years. Those jobs are anticipated to pay $15 to $25 an hour.
“It’s a real good opportunity for West Memphis,” McClendon said. “Anytime you can add economic development to your city, it helps."
McClendon said Glanris will operate out of a 35,000-square-foot manufacturing plant at 925 State Hwy. 77, formerly home to Ace Hardware. He noted the plant would reportedly be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Glanris’ patented 901x water filtration media — which removes contaminants from water — is made from rice hulls thanks to a partnership with Riceland Foods in Jonesboro, according to West Memphis officials. As part of its $3 million investment, $1.3 million is expected to be allocated for capital expenditures.
“This West Memphis facility will manufacture [Glanris'] new line of home water filters, providing greater water security for everyone who desires safer, better tasting water. … With municipalities facing water shortages, it’s going to help make clean water for cities like Flint, [Michigan] that has dealt with having a water crisis for a while," McClendon said.
Nick Coulter, communications director for the City of West Memphis, said despite the pandemic, economic development was progressing.
“Even with some of the circumstances we are under with the virus, we have hope that jobs are still being created in West Memphis and we are still moving forward,” Coulter said.
From past conversations with Glanris officials, McClendon said operations at the manufacturing facility could begin toward the end of the year. Glanris officials will present the project in a special meeting to the West Memphis City Council within the next few weeks, McClendon said.
“We’re just excited because this is something new to our city,” he said. “Hopefully, this will lead to getting some developers to build some more homes in West Memphis so our people can work, live, and play in West Memphis.”
The upstart Glanris was started in 2018 by Tom Volinchak, founder and chief officer, and CEO Bryan Eagle III.
