DNR stalling on permits for shingle factory in Moberly

More than a year after plans for a multi-million dollar shingle factory in Moberly were announced, no ground has been broken.

Mayor Bob Riley told ABC 17 News he hopes construction will begin on the land soon.

The plot of land just north of Moberly has been the proposed future home of GAF Shingle Factory since last year.

The company has been waiting for permits from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to build.

Riley said it’s time for the project to move forward.

“We would have the permits some time in the first part of April. They told us it would probably be another two months. Now, there’s more things that have come up. So, what we’re after is face to face answers, ” said Riley.

Riley and other officials will meet the DNR Wednesday in Jefferson City to discuss the GAF project permits.

“We need the jobs that those dollars circulate and as they circulate, they make it better for everybody. So, the bottom line for this meeting in Jeff City with DNR is to help GAF bring those jobs to our area.”

Last March, Governor Nixon made the announcement that GAF would build the shingle factory on this land.

The factory is a $165 million project. When finished, it will cover more than 300,000 square feet, and provide 125 new jobs for the area.

“We don’t want to take a chance on them getting upset with us or the state. Or something happens to cause a problem that the plant wouldn’t be built,” said Riley.

Riley said he’s fairly certain GAF wouldn’t pull out of the project. He said the company has been understanding throughout the process.