Economic outlook luncheon back on next month

The El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce will host its first Economic Outlook Luncheon of 2021 at 11:30 a.m., Sept. 8, in the El Dorado Conference Center, 311 S. West Ave.

Typically held twice a year in February and September, the Economic Outlook Luncheon provides an opportunity for area business owners and community leaders to come together and discuss economic growth and projections for Union County.

The last Economic Outlook Luncheon was held in February of 2020. Luncheons were canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The keynote speaker of the upcoming luncheon will be Dennis Harris, president of Matheson, the parent company of Continental Carbonic Products, Inc., which is opening a liquid CO2 and dry ice manufacturing facility in El Dorado.

Construction of the new facility is

underway on the property of LSB Industries (El Dorado Chemical).

“Our new El Dorado plant significantly expands our production capabilities to support the growing demands for liquid CO2 and dry ice products,” Harris said in a press release earlier this year.

“CO2 is crucial for food processing, food distribution, medical, automotive and other industries that receive these products from CCPI,” Harris continued. “This facility will not only better serve our customers in the south central U.S. but it will also serve as an agent of economic growth for the El Dorado area.”

CCPI is bringing 60 jobs to El Dorado and Union County. The starting wage for entry-level employees is $18.25 per hour.

The company plans to have its El Dorado facility operational before the end of the year.

“I am really looking forward to hearing from (Harris) at the upcoming Economic Outlook Luncheon,” said Bill Luther, president and CEO of the El Dorado-Union County Chamber of Commerce.

“Continental Carbonic Products, Inc. does a lot for the communities they operate in, so I am looking forward to the future partnerships the company will have with our community,” Luther added.

Tickets are $20 each for the Economic Outlook Luncheon. Those who wish to attend the event must RSVP by Friday, Sept. 3.

To RSVP, send an email to Jaren Books, chamber membership and events coordinator, at jaren@goeldorado.com or call 870-863-6113, Ext. 2. Also, stop by the chamber at 111 W. Main.

Sponsors for the luncheon are El Dorado and Wesson Railway, LANXESS and Mystic Creek Golf Course.