Industrial gas producer-distributor constructing Moses Lake plant

Plant to be operational in early 2009

MOSES LAKE — An industrial gas producer and distributor is joining the Moses Lake economy.

Boise, Idaho-based Norco Inc., is constructing an air separation plant on a 10-acre site at Wheeler Road and Road N.

Norco CEO Jim Kissler made the announcement Monday.

"We 'harvest the sky,' separating air into oxygen, nitrogen and argon," Kissler said.

The gases are used to supply Norco's 30,000 customers throughout the Northwest.

Three to five workers will operate the plant, which also serves as the distribution hub for roughly 20 long-haul truck drivers, Kissler said.

Jo Murray, public relations consultant to Norco, said Norco plans to use local contractors and hire locally for the positions at the completed plant.

Construction on the Moses Lake plant has not begun, Murray added. Norco hopes to break ground within the next 90 days.

The plant is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2009. It will be similar to Norco's existing plant in Nampa, Idaho, constructed in 2002.

Kissler and Norco President Ned Pontious credited the Grant County Economic Development Council's role in their selection of the Moses Lake site.

"In the end we selected Moses Lake because of its good access to highways, reliable source of electricity and the cooperative local government and business community," Pontious said. "We look forward to being here."

The company expects completion of the plant to be a stimulus for companies which rely on industrial gases to locate in the Moses Lake area.

Food-processing companies use nitrogen in freezing their products and steel fabrication companies use argon as a cover gas for welding, he used as an example. Hospital and medical offices and home health care patients require reliable sources of oxygen.

"We are excited to welcome Norco to Grant County," Grant County Economic Development Executive Director Terry Brewer said. "The company has been great to work with and they are committed to giving back to the community. Their presence here will diversify our economy and make us a more competitive place for businesses to locate."

Council Director of Communications and Research Jon Smith said the council had been working with Norco since July 2006.

"Norco produces industrial gases and currently they have a retail facility in Ephrata," Smith said. "Now they'll be able to produce the stuff they're selling there in the local area, instead of having to bring it in from another place. It will be easier, quicker access and help the other companies already located here which use those chemicals."

Norco has 42 locations in six states and is a 58-year-old family-owned company.