Preliminary activity has begun at the site of the new specialty gas plant of Air Products and Chemicals Inc., on a 100-acre site at Haucks in Rush Township.

Surveyors completed staking out the site and a well-drilling rig is now sending a deep probe into the earth to secure a water supply of 100 gallons per minutes.

Groundbreaking ceremonies are in the planning stages and heavy construction equipment is scheduled to be at the site within 30 days.

It is expected the initial operations there will involve production of sulphur hexafluoride and hydrogen chloride and will employ from 20-25 men.