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Louisiana, USA- Timber in Louisiana’s vast forests are en route in becoming an even larger industry. Government officials and construction businesses plan to funnel an additional $557 million dollars worth of sawmill projects across the state.
Lumber companies Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries, Ltd., have proposed the most recent project of a $240 million dollar highly computerized lumber mill in Bienville Parish. The two businesses plan to utilize local timber to produce over 320 million board feet of lumber yearly from 1.3 million tons of trees. Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries, Ltd. will each own half of the new mill while Hunt Forest Products will operate the mill on a day-to-day basis.
Anticipated to cover almost 225 acres, the upcoming mill will create 130 jobs that will hold an average salary of $57,400 plus benefits. Breaking ground is expected to occur in early 2022 and finish in 2023, supporting 300 jobs throughout the duration of construction time. James D. Hunt, co-owner of Hunt Forest Products, says that the mill will serve as an outlet for the immense inventory of southern yellow pine trees found throughout the state.
Currently, Louisiana produces about 3 billion board feet of lumber annually. When Hurricane Laura hit southwest Louisiana late last year, over 800,000 acres of timber were destroyed costing the lumber industry a loss of 3 million board feet of timber.
A substantial portion of wood from Louisiana is employed in the United States housing market. During the pandemic, the construction industry encountered costly lumber prices ranging from about $1,600 per 1,000 board feet. Prices have recently now simmered back down to around $630 per 1,000 board feet.
The Louisiana Economic Development department is offering the companies the involvement of individuals from the workforce training program that is partnered with Bossier Parish Community College. Hunt Forest Products and Tolko Industries, Ltd. are prepared to receive $2 million as a performance based grant in addition to the project qualifying for an 80% property tax break through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.
Hunt Forest Projects and Tolko Industries have previously remodeled a 125 acre lumber mill formerly owned and operated by Louisiana Pacific. The $115 million project produces 200 million board feet of lumber annually and has constituted the creation of 120 jobs since its 2019 opening. Another larger scale project announced recently is Canfors investment. Background here: CANFOR To Construct State Of The Art $160 Million Lumber Mill Near DeRidder, Louisiana
