(November 9, 2007)—In the face of protests from some residents, Kosse-based RTLC Piping Products, Inc. has abandoned plans to expand its operations into Marlin, where it had hoped to build a branch facility that would have employed about 100 workers.
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In a letter obtained by News Ten, RTLC President Billy Terrell says, “a move into an adversarial climate such as exists in South Marlin would not be beneficial to RTLC.”
The company, which ranks among the leading manufacturers of large diameter steel pipe in the country, was working with city officials to try to purchase a tract of city-owned land in south Marlin to build a plant.
At the same time, the company was exploring possible cooperative relationships with the Marlin ISD as well as with Texas State Technical College and Temple College for training workers for the plant.
But petitions began to circulate in nearby neighborhoods in opposition to the plant, which some city officials concede would have been a shot in the arm to the town’s struggling economy.
“Investing millions of dollars into a neighborhood and having to fight with the other residents is not good business,” Terrell wrote.
“There are other communities in the area offering better plant sites and a pro business attitude that would be much better for our operation,” he said.
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