Following the local trend in expanding businesses, recycling company D.R. Plastics will expand its operations in the city’s business park.

The planned expansion comes after the company was approved for a four-year $150,000 loan from the Whitewater Community Development Authority.

City Manager Kevin Brunner said the money will help enlarge operations, purchase equipment and create about eight jobs.

The criteria D.R. Plastics had to meet, under the business development loan program, were to create and maintain at least eight jobs, and expand and keep their business in Whitewater for the term of the loan, Brunner said.

“It’s a small project, but it’s a sign that investments are being made and jobs are being created,” Brunner said. “I think the big thing is that there are signs of economic recovery and that we have some investments being made in our local community by this company.”

D.R. Plastics received the loan at a 4 percent interest rate.

The last local business to receive this loan was Dan’s Meat Market, which has since closed.

Brunner said the city has provided a press release about available low-interest loans to local businesses.

“We want to encourage investment in the local communities,” Brunner said. “We’re there to assist them in any way we can to help create jobs.”

Russ Blakeley, president of D.R. Plastics, said in a news release that Whitewater is a great place to do business.

“We are pleased that we are able to expand our Whitewater operations with the financial assistance of the [CDA],” Blakeley said. “This loan has allowed our firm to purchase new machinery equipment to not only add employees, but improve our market position.”