Walker County’s Economic Development Team is reportedly extremely optimistic about an announcement that a Chinese mega-firm had purchased the Roper Plant in Lafayette.

According to Development Authority Director Larry Brooks, hiring continues for the plant, adding that6 everything they’ve heard regarding the acquisition is favorable for the Roper Corporation’s future in Lafayette.

The plant is part of GE’s sale of its appliance business to Haier; according to a news release the firm is planning to introduce GE appliances for sale in the Chinese market…giving them a potential customer pool of 1.3 billion consumers.

Brooks went on to say that three existing manufacturers in Walker County are about to put expansion projects into place which will likely result in additional jobs over the next couple of years.

(WQCH)