Robert L. Bennett, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, announced today that a new outdoor furniture plant to employee up to 300 workers will be established on the Colorado River Reservation in Arizona by Prest Wheel, Inc., of South Grafton, Mass.
Bennett said the firm will be located in an existing industrial building which the firm will purchase from the Economic Development Administration. Area Indians will be given on-the-job training to qualify for jobs in the new plant, he said.
"I note with real pride," Bennett said, "that these plans have been completed in less than four months from Prest Wheel's initial contact by our Industrial Development office. This new facility and its welcome employment potential is an indication of real cooperation between company officials, tribal leaders, EDA, 'and the Bureau of Indian Affairs."
The plant is expected to begin operations in September, Bennett said, with an initial employment of 125, which should grow to 300. Most employees will be Indians from the area, which includes members of the Mohave, Chemehuevi, Navajo, and Hopi tribes.
