MOSES LAKE — Guardian Fiberglass stopped plans to open a 500,000-square-foot manufacturing plant near Moses Lake due to a decrease in product demand.

The company initially expected to start production of its fiberglass insulation products by the middle of this year, according to the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC).

Today, the entire outside of Guardian’s building located on Road N is completed, said Jon Smith, the EDC’s research and communications manager, on Wednesday

“Guardian is still committed to the area,” Smith commented. “It doesn’t make sense to push ahead full steam when demand is down.”

He commented other manufacturers have seen ups and downs with business as well.

From what he understands, Guardian’s reasons for halting plans are the same as why other companies are cutting back.

“Most of the products manufactured here are sold outside the area,” he explained.

Smith added that buyers are cutting back.

The news isn’t a disappointment to the EDC, as some projects take a long time to complete, he noted.

“It’s certainly understandable with how things are now,” Smith said.

Dan Ohmer, Guardian’s vice president, was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

The company projected hiring 128 employees with the plant’s opening.