Jasper Lumber gets grant to add railroad link and boost capacity to 200 mmbf
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With a state grant, Jasper Lumber Co. is looking to build railroad tracks to link its mill to the main railroad line.

JASPER, Ala. – Jasper Lumber Co. received a $300,000 grant to help its expansion plans. 
The funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission will supplement a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant awarded by the state in March 2022 to assist Jasper Lumber Co. to boost its production and create 60 new jobs.

“I am always excited to see local companies expand and provide employment opportunities for people in their communities,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “I congratulate Jasper Lumber Co. and local leaders who helped make this expansion a success. I am pleased to assist through these funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission.”

ARC funds will be used to reconstruct two rail lines from the mill to the main railroad line enabling the company to transport its lumber.

Jasper Lumber Company is located in Northwest Alabama and has manufactured southern pine lumber for over 25 years. In 2008, the company received its first “Green” certification through the Sustainable Forestry Innovative and in 2012, it received Chain of Custody and Forest Management Certifications with the Forest Stewardship Council. 

The company’s expansion came about through an agreement with Tolko Industries, a Canadian-based company. Jasper Lumber expects its output of lumber to grow from 70 million to 200 million board feet annually.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC and CDBG programs in Alabama.

“ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey and the city of Jasper in this economic development project that will benefit Jasper, Walker County and northwest Alabama,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said.

ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Walker County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
 

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Larry Adams | Editor

Larry Adams is a Chicago-based writer and editor who writes about how things get done. A former wire service and community newspaper reporter, Larry is an award-winning writer with more than three decades of experience. In addition to writing about woodworking, he has covered science, metrology, metalworking, industrial design, quality control, imaging, Swiss and micromanufacturing . He was previously a Tabbie Award winner for his coverage of nano-based coatings technology for the automotive industry. Larry volunteers for the historic preservation group, the Kalo Foundation/Ianelli Studios, and the science-based group, Chicago Council on Science and Technology (C2ST).