GRENADA, Miss. - Southern yellow pine producer Hankins Lumber is investing $12 million into a new Mississippi sawmill, adding 43 jobs. The average salary for the new jobs will be $51,000.

Mississippi's Development Authority is providing aid for the expansion.

“Mississippi’s agriculture industry is our state’s top economic driver, employing tens of thousands of Mississippians and contributing billions to the state’s economy each year,” Governor Tate Reeves said. “Forestry is the state’s second top commodity in this important industry, with nearly 20 million acres of forestland available to ensure companies like Hankins Timbers continue to provide job opportunities to the people of Grenada County and the entire state for years to come.”

The new facility will use first and second pine thinning rather than mature logs. The facility will produce about 40 million board feet per year.

Hankins Lumber has been in operation in Grenada County for nearly 50 years. The company employs 140 workers at its current facility.