Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. hosted community leaders, elected officials and prospective employees at the site of its in-construction new manufacturing facility in Harrisonville, Mo. This will be the company’s 62nd manufacturing plant, and its first in Missouri.

The event featured remarks from ADS CEO Joe Chlapaty, U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), State Senator Ed Emery (R-Lamar), and Mayor Brian Hasek of Harrisonville.

The new 72,650 square-foot manufacturing facility is expected to open in the first half of 2017, bringing new employment opportunities to the region.

This plant represents a significant capital investment for ADS, whose growth is a result of favorable policies enacted by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). In 2011, and again in 2014, MoDOT updated its standards specification to allow plastic pipe to be used in statewide infrastructure projects for storm water management. The alternative pipe policies enable engineer choice among technically equivalent options and reduce project costs.

“MoDOT’s policy improvements contributed significantly to ADS’ decision to invest in Missouri. We are delighted to join the community of committed Harrisonville advocates, and welcomed the participation in today’s event by Representative Hartzler, Senator Emery, Mayor Hasek and many community advocates and leaders,” said Chlapaty. “This facility will help meet growing demand for our water management solutions, and we are excited about our increasing contributions to the state of Missouri and this wonderful community.”

The company intends to employ approximately 50 people at this facility when fully staffed, and will hire locally for employment opportunities in management, machine operation, and transportation, among others.

The demand for ADS products has grown significantly, including revenue growth of 50 percent from 2011, the year MoDOT updated their specifications. Enabling specifier choice has contributed to this growth, and could be replicated across the country with similar policy advances.