TAYLOR, La. (From news reports) - Hunt Forest Products, Tolko Industries Ltd. and Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois has dedicated what's being called Louisiana's newest and most technologically advanced sawmill in Bienville Parish.

The $280 million, state-of-the-art project began construction in 2022 and initial operations in 2023. Today, the facility operates at full capacity and employs approximately 190 people.

"We are very excited about the performance of this mill, our second high-tech sawmill in Louisiana, and especially about the skilled jobs it is providing to local Louisiana residents, and providing a local outlet for the massive inventory of southern yellow pine that exists in this state," said James D. Hunt, Hunt Forest Products co-owner and board vice chairman.

Hunt noted that the facility recently set two new lumber production records, is managing almost 1,000 truckloads of timber a week, and that its decision to prioritize buying timber locally is generating approximately $50 million annually in purchases from local foresters.

"The local economic impact is incredible, and will continue to grow over time," Hunt said.

The mill requires approximately 1.3 million tons of wood annually to produce approximately 320 million board feet of lumber annually, Hunt added. The facility is located on 255 acres of land including the existing Taylor sawmill site and some adjacent timber land.

During the dedication ceremony, Bourgeois state leaders' support of the sawmill project, its significance to the local economy and its role in the economic momentum happening across northwest Louisiana.

"This project is a powerful example of how Louisiana's legacy industries are adopting new technology to strengthen efficiency, enhance safety, and open the door to new opportunities. By building in the heart of our historic timber region, Hunt Forest Products and Tolko have created hundreds of jobs that span construction, forestry, industrial services, and retail--an impact that will benefit the town of Taylor, Bienville Parish, and the families who call this region home for generations to come," Bourgeois said.

Bienville Lumber Company is a joint venture between Hunt Forest Products and Tolko, a 60-year-old family-owned Canadian forestry industry company that produces a wide range of forest products for customers around the world. Tolko, based in Vernon, British Columbia, partnered with Hunt Forest Products to build a modern sawmill in Urania, LA, that began operations in 2018.

Similar to the Urania sawmill, Tolko will own a 50 percent share, and the mill is managed and operated by Hunt on a day-to-day basis.

"The forestry industry has been a vital part of the Bienville Parish and regional economy for more than 100 years, so we're thrilled that Hunt Forest Products and Tolko recognized that North Louisiana is a prime location for companies to grow and succeed and brought this major new economic engine to our community," said Justyn Dixon, North Louisiana Economic Partnership president and CEO.

"We were confident that with the availability of timber and employees, this project was in the right place, at the right time, and that has proven to be true," Hunt said. "This is boosting the local economy, bringing a new generation of sawmill technology to this part of the state, and providing another much-needed outlet for regional Louisiana timber. It's a win-win for everyone."