Canada's Canfor invests $160 million to build first Louisiana lumber mill
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BEAUREGARD PARISH, La. - Canadian lumber giant Canfor has announced its entrance into the state of Louisiana with a new $160 million sawmill. 

The mill would create 130 direct jobs with an average salary of $59,921, plus benefits. The Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project also would result in 386 new indirect jobs, for a total of 516 new jobs for the region.

Located on an LED-certified site, the sawmill would process yellow pine from Louisiana forests, Start-up is expected to begin late in the third quarter of 2022. 

“Canfor selected Louisiana for its first greenfield project in the U.S. because of the sustainable and high-quality fiber supply, the skilled labor force, and the long history of wood products manufacturing,” Canfor Southern Pine President Tony Sheffield said. “In addition, the significant incentives and support we are receiving from the State of Louisiana are helping to make this project possible.” 

To secure the project, Louisiana offered an incentives package that included a $1.5 million performance-based grant.

“Agribusiness remains one of our key industries for growing Louisiana’s economy, and our state offers unique advantages that attracted Canfor here,” said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. “This major new manufacturing project can resonate across the region’s economy in a variety of ways. We welcome plans for this foreign direct investment in Louisiana by this industry leader, and we look forward to the good jobs this project is expected to create in Beauregard Parish for the region’s skilled workforce.” 

Based in British Columbia, Canada, Canfor is one of the world’s largest producers of sustainable lumber, pulp, and paper.


 

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Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].