Barton Solvents is no longer considering Maize as a possible location for its new plant. BarSol's Valley Center plant was the site of a massive chemical explosion and fire last summer. Now, the company is planning a new, state-of-the-art facility and continues to search for a site.

Last Monday, lots of Maize residents showed up at the city council meeting, even though BarSol wasn't even planned for discussion. The residents voiced their opposition to the council and when company management heard about what happened, they dropped their efforts to relocate in Maize.

"It was the negative publicity that was provided to the president," explains Maize City Administrator Richard LaMunyon. "They just decided that if they don't want us, then we'll seek somewhere else."

Barton president Dave Casten tells KAKE News, "We have always been open with the media and will continue that in the future. However, after what happened in Maize, we will not be discuss inf anything related to relocating until we have secured property. After that is done, we'll be happy to discuss the topic."

Barton wants to build a new facility following the explosion and fire last July which destroyed much of its Valley Center plant.

Meanwhile, Bel Aire Administrator Ty Lasher says his community is still being considered with a 30 acre site near 53rd and Greenwich Rd. A site in El Dorado is also under consideration.

So Maize is out even before elected officials got the chance to consider it. "Unfortunately I don't know if we wanted them or didn't want them," says LaMunyon. "We didn't get the chance to make a decision."