ROGUE RIVER, OR -- Murphy Plywood is betting $3.6 million that the housing market will continue to improve as it reopened a dormant plywood plant and put108 people back to work.

Murphy purchased the 164,000-square-foot plant in February, formerly operated by Panel Products of Michigan.

The plant is currently operating with one shift, but Murphy hopes to ultimately expand to three shifts and employ about 200 people.

Murphy Co. also owns a hardwood plywood plant in Eugene and a structural beam plant in Sutherlin. 

The plant along interstate 5 between Grants Pass and Medford is on 51 acres, and the plant is 164,000 square feet.