CIMARRON, N.M. - Lance Forest Products, a Northern California-based sawmill business, will relocate to New Mexico after the state offered it a $350,000 grant.

 

After catastrophic fires in the region burned 36,000 acres of forest and forced evacuations, state officials want the forests thinned. So it reached out to Lance Forest, who then formed agreements with private Northern New Mexico ranchers for harvesting and thinning.

 

“We are delighted to welcome Lance Forest Products to New Mexico,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said in the statement. “This company will revitalize the forest restoration economy in Cimarron, restoring confidence in the community, bringing needed jobs, and improving forest resilience to climate change. It's a win-win for all.”

 

Lance plans to relocate $1.2 million of equipment to Northern New Mexico by rail or truck and expects to begin operations by mid-2020. More than 40 employees will be needed to run the sawmill. Wages will range from $15 to $18 an hour.

 

The Village of Cimarron will build an industrial park around the new sawmill to serve wood product businesses.

 

Lance has been operating in Northern California for more than 60 years.