Green Bay Packaging has officially broken ground on its $1 billion expansion of the Arkansas Kraft Division in Morrilton, marking the start of what is now the largest capital investment project in Central Arkansas history.
The company originally announced the project in December 2024, and the June 3 event marked the launch of construction for the multiyear initiative, dubbed “Project PowerPack.”
“This project reflects our ongoing commitment to quality, sustainability, and our community,” said Matt Szymanski, Vice President of Mill Operations.
The investment will modernize the facility with new infrastructure, including upgraded recovery and biomass boilers, and the installation of an electric turbine generator to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion also includes the acquisition of 300 acres to support future growth and could more than double the mill’s production capacity.
Green Bay Packaging plans to create 35 new jobs as part of the project, adding to its current workforce of over 620 employees in Conway County.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the initiative as a landmark for the region: “Green Bay Packaging’s $1 billion investment is not only historic, it’s a testament to the strength of our workforce and pro-business policies.”
To accommodate the expansion, six counties and the City of Morrilton partnered with the Arkansas Department of Transportation in 2024 to relocate Highway 113—an effort described as an unprecedented show of regional cooperation.
“With this expansion, Green Bay Packaging is modernizing its facility and deepening its roots in Arkansas,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Green Bay Packaging, founded in 1933, operates over 30 manufacturing facilities across 15 states. Its investment in Morrilton reinforces both its commitment to sustainability and its long-standing role in Arkansas’ manufacturing economy.
