A $20 million expansion at Anchor Packaging in Paragould is expected to create between 10 and 20 new jobs while boosting production capacity.
Georgia-Pacific, which owns the facility, announced the investment, which will add two new thermoforming production lines to the local plant. Kelly Ferguson, the company’s vice president of public affairs and communications, highlighted the importance of the move, noting, "We don’t share the total number of thermoforming lines, but this investment will significantly increase production at the site."
Anchor Packaging, which produces rigid food containers, currently employs approximately 600 people in Paragould. The expansion is slated for completion in late 2027, by which time workers will be trained and ready to oversee the new lines. There is no specific timeline yet for hiring additional employees.
The announcement comes as Paragould continues to experience population growth. Allison Hestand, CEO and director of economic development at the Paragould Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of investments like this for the city. "Paragould continues to grow, with estimates showing about one and a half people relocating here every day. It’s always good when a company doubles down on its investment, as Anchor is doing now," Hestand said.
This expansion aligns with Georgia-Pacific's broader goals since acquiring Anchor Packaging in October 2025. "We purchased Anchor Packaging as part of our effort to grow our food service solutions business," Ferguson noted.
For those seeking employment opportunities in Paragould, local job listings are consolidated at paragouldjobs.com, which is updated weekly by the Chamber of Commerce. "Any of our companies you’re interested in also have career pages, but we house all those opportunities in one spot," Hestand added.
The region’s economic outlook has been further bolstered by this development, which marks a significant step in Georgia-Pacific’s ongoing investment in Paragould.