January 26, 2022
(press release)
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Huber Engineered Woods LLC (HEW), a subsidiary of J.M. Huber Corporation, announced today its submission of a revised Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to the City of Cohasset for review. HEW plans to build a $440 million oriented strand board manufacturing plant on nearly 200 acres of property adjacent to Minnesota Power’s Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset. The mill will manufacture wall and roof sheathing, integrated structural panels, and high-performance subflooring. These specialty engineered wood products are used nationwide in single-family, multifamily and light commercial buildings. The project is expected to create approximately 150 direct jobs in Itasca County, with additional job and growth opportunities in adjacent industries like timber and trucking. Brian Carlson, President of HEW, stated, “We appreciate the feedback we received from community members and stakeholders, and we revised the EAW accordingly to take into account the feedback we received. We intend to continue working with interested parties to move the project toward construction.” The updated EAW is submitted as a result of consultation with and review of comments by local citizens, state agencies, and other interested parties. Among other revisions, the updated EAW provides more information about the health of Minnesota’s forests and their ample ability to sustainably supply the facility. The EAW also provides more detail on the project’s carbon footprint, especially regarding the effects of generating much of the facility’s energy needs through wood fuels, and the carbon sequestration effects of the finished wood products. Construction on the project will begin later this year following all permit approvals.
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