RUTHER GLEN, Va. - North Carolina-based lumber company Ashton Lewis will invest $11 million to build a southern yellow pine operation in Virginia.

 

Ashton will upgrade the former W.T. Jones & Sons pine sawmill, which it recently purchased. W.T. Jones first established the mill back in 1970.

 

The upgraded plant will produce specialty southern yellow pine, a dense, strong wood commonly used in decks, fencing, and house framing. It's often pressure-treated, or chemically-altered for greater longevity and rot-resistance.

 

44 jobs will be created.

 

Governor Ralph Northam approved a $50,000 grant from the Governor's Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund as an incentive for Ashton.

 

“Ashton Lewis’ commitment to Caroline County will not only preserve quality jobs for hardworking Virginians and bring valuable investment to this rural locality, but will continue to provide markets for our forestland owners,” said Northam.

 

Ashton is a prime specialist, producing pine logs for various lumber and wood products. The company has committed to source 90 percent of all pine lumber purchases from Virginia forestland owners.