Video: Strong Economy, Stellar Workforce Credited With Expansion At Delta Furniture Manufacturing Plant

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NEW HOULKA, MISS. (WCBI) – Delta Furniture Manufacturing has seen steady growth since it opened seven
years ago in Pontotoc.

But the Pontotoc plant is at capacity, so in November, Delta began
operations at the former Astrolounger plant in New Houlka.

An expansion is already necessary.

“It means a lot to our little town to have this factory come in here and
create jobs,” said New Houlka Mayor Jimmy Kelly.

The expansion represents a corporate investment of nearly half a million
dollars. Also, the Mississippi Development Authority provided support for
infrastructure improvements. MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough
Junior says economic development happens through teamwork.

“MDA works with Three Rivers Planning and Development District , the
Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors, everyone works together to help make
these announcements possible, we’re so proud of the leadership at Delta
Furniture,” McCullough said.

Company officials say the expansion speaks to a couple of factors,
continuing improvement in the economy, and a workforce in Northeast
Mississippi that is second to none.”

“It’s been a wonderful growth period to start from the bottom during the
recession and work our way up now, we’ve had exciting growth,” said Chris Bray, vice president of sales for Delta Furniture.

Rodney Spicer has worked at the New Houlka plant since November. He says
the expansion is job security.

“It’s a lot of people buying furniture, we make good quality furniture,
everybody buying it and I love it,” Spicer said.

The expansion will add at least 100 employees and will eventually see the
addition of two assembly lines for upholstered living room furniture.

And MDA Exective Director Glenn McCullough Junior pointed out today’s
announcement caps off a record setting week in Mississippi for economic
development. Continental Tires announced a 1 point 4 billion dollar plant
for Hinds County. Also, TopShip LLC will open a shipbuilding facility in Gulfport that will create 1000 jobs.