R.H. Ghan Commercial Properties is excited to announce the plans for Oxane Materials to locate a production facility in Van Buren. Oxane Materials manufactures highly conductive ultralight ceramic proppants. The products Oxane will make in Van Buren will be used in shale exploration for natural gas. Carl Sorrell, Vice President of Manufacturing for Oxane, said the company considered more than 80 facilities in 8 states before ultimately choosing Van Buren. He said reasons for ultimately selecting Van Buren included "excellent logistics for bringing in raw materials and shipping the finished product, a great workforce, and a very business-minded community."

     The company will initially invest $15 million in the plant, which is located on Industrial Park Rd., and will hire up to 50 employees by summer 2010. Expansion plans are anticipated through 2014 and could bring an additional $32 million investment and total employment of 300. R.H. Ghan Commercial Properties would like to welcome Oxane Materials!