CLARION, Penn. - Lewis Lumber and Milling Inc., a Tennessee-based producer of unfinished hardwood wide plank flooring, moulding and components, will open its first manufacturing operation in Pennsylvania.

The news, announced May 4 by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, will create 100 jobs in Clarion County.

“I am very pleased that Lewis Lumber has selected Pennsylvania as the home of their second facility,” said Gov. Wolf. “Our prime northeast location will allow the company to distribute their product easily, and our dedicated and skilled workforce will provide them with top-notch employees. This is a great move for the company and for the commonwealth.”

Lewis Lumber and Milling plans to invest approximately $15.2 million to renovate the 100,000-square-foot facility, formerly used by Sealy mattress, and invest in new machinery. The family-owned company markets its flooring under the Reliance Hardwood Flooring brand.

“Pennsylvania’s hardwoods and forestry industry is known for its quality and sustainability, which made selecting Clarion County as the home of our new manufacturing facility an easy choice,” said Tom Edwards, COO of Lewis Lumber and Milling. “Pennsylvania also provides a completely different species and population of trees – northern red oaks, white oak, and white hard maple – that we need for our product lines. We look forward to a successful future in the commonwealth.”

The company received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $340,000 Pennsylvania First grant, a $200,000 workforce development grant to help train workers, a $2 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan and is expected to apply for the department’s Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC) program.

“This is the highest capital investment of a Governor’s Action Team project in Clarion County in the last seven years, and DCED is proud to have had a hand in bringing the company to Pennsylvania,” said Neil Weaver, acting secretary. “Lewis Lumber will create a significant number of jobs in the region and breathe new life into a formerly vacant building – a win for the community, the company, and the commonwealth.”

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team. The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation was also involved in the project.