Georgia-Pacific Invests $37 Million Lumber Mill in Gurdon, AR
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GURDON, AR -- Georgia-Pacific will invest $37 million at its Gurdon, AR, lumber mill to expand  production capacity by 60 percent. Upgrades include installation of a new continuous dry kiln and a state-of-the-art planer mill and related infrastructure improvements. Project completion is expected by the third quarter of 2015.

Georgia-Pacific Invests $37 Million Lumber Mill in Gurdon, AR"As the housing market continues a slow, but steady improvement,"  said Fritz Mason, VP and general manager for G-P's lumber business, the company plans to "become their lumber supplier of choice."

Another $20 million may be spent at the nearby Gurdon plywood mill to increase that mill's efficiency and capacity, and reduce air emissions.

The Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance is helping fund the expansion through a county economic development sales tax.

"This is exciting news for our community and state," said Stephen Bell, president and CEO of the Alliance, which is upgrading the sewer treatment plant and increasing the treatment plant's capacity at the City of Gurdon to support the expansion.

Georgia-Pacific is among the top three largest manufacturing employers in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, with eight facilities, five of which are part of the building products division. The company employs approximately 2,700 people in the state, with more than 665 people located at the Gurdon lumber and plywood operations.

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