Authorities Awaiting ATC Site Plan for $500 million Project

According to Washington, US based local newspaper the Columbia Basin Herald, the Port of Ephrata – the region’s largest landowner – is waiting to receive a site plan from American Tire Corporation (ATC), who is said to have recently signed a purchase and sale agreement for 96 acres of port land. Port manager Mike Read said the means that American Tire Corporation, which will do business as Washington Tire Corporation, has 60 days to change its mind.

ATC, says Wren, makes tyres for large mining equipment vehicles, and the company’s website claims it is the “first US manufacturer producing 63-inch giant OTR tyres.” According to the newspaper report the company will manufacture tyres in Ephrata and ship them out 60 times a day. Wren is quoted as saying that ATC is projecting a capital investment of US$500 million into the project and the creation of 300 jobs.

The total purchase price of the property is $960,000, and ATC intends to invest in rail access at the site to facilitate product delivery. Wren added that it is not yet clear how large the ATC factory building will be or how the site will be laid out.

The newspaper reports that ATC president, Abraham Hengyucius, declined to comment about the project as it hasn’t reached full production.