Bear River City •The new $300 million Procter & Gamble Co. plant in Box Elder County is big, but the potential is even bigger, and that had Gov. Gary Herbert smiling at the ribbon-cutting Wednesday.

"This is huge, a significant event emblematic of Utah's standing in the world for business," said Herbert. "It's not just today, it's for tomorrow."

The Box Elder plant is the first built in North America in 40 years by the world's largest consumer-products company.

The state of Utah lured P&G in 2007 with the promise of $85 million in tax incentives over 20 years.

P&G bought 750 acres west of Corinne and began construction in 2008. The distribution center, which receives products from other plants and sends them by truck throughout the western United States, began operating last April. Charmin toilet tissue began rolling off the production line late last year, and workers will begin making Bounty paper towels this summer.

The company employs 200 now at the Box Elder County plant, but Herbert said he has been told it may employ 1,200 or 1,300 in a decade.

The company does not make such public predictions, said spokesman Matthew Donthnier. Nonetheless, he said, "We're definitely built for growth."

Herbert and P&G Chairman and CEO Robert A. McDonald were flanked by pallets of Charmin and Bounty as they talked about how the corporation and state share common values, such as the importance of family and volunteerism. The two clipped the ceremonial red ribbon together.

It was McDonald's first visit to the plant, although he was in Salt Lake City a year ago to address a University of Utah luncheon and receive an alumni award. Raised in Chicago, he earned a master's degree in business from the U. in 1978.

Keith Harrison, P&G's global product supply officer, said the new Utah plant uses leading-edge technology and "literally puts people at the center of the operation."

The plant was already under construction when P&G committed to meet LEED standards for energy efficiency in new-plant construction worldwide, but the Box Elder plant makes use of natural light with windows and its landscaping uses little water.

Joseph Tomon, site leader for the Box Elder plant, announced a $30,000 donation to the Box Elder School District — a gesture showing the value the company puts on education, he said.

Box Elder County Commissioner Luann Adams said the timing couldn't be better, since the closure of the La-Z-Boy factory in Tremonton and layoffs at Alliant Techsystems have left the county with unemployment near 10 percent.

"It means a lot to our economy right now, and they come with good attitudes and community spirit," Adams said.

Lane Beattie, president of the Salt Lake Chamber, said P&G's choice of Utah for its first U.S. production plant in 40 years will influence other companies looking to expand.

"It has a major effect on many, many other decision makers," Beattie said.

kmoulton@sltrib.com