SHELBY COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - Deep East Texas crews broke ground in Joaquin for a new multi-million-dollar lithium plant Tuesday morning.

State representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), and Joaquin City and Shelby County officials were among the dozens of visitors at Select Water Solutions and Mariana Minerals Lithium Extraction Facility groundbreaking ceremony.

“Innovation is really meeting I think what we have to offer here in East Texas, which is of course our natural resources,” said Ashby.

This is considered the first large-scale development in Joaquin, according to city mayor Jesse Griffith. The facility is expected to generate about $40 million a year. It is predicted to bring in 200 temporary construction jobs and 50 permanent jobs. Permanent jobs will be a mix of engineers, mainte

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