WELDON, North Carolina
,
May 24, 2022
(press release)
–
Oregon-based Roseburg Forest Products held a groundbreaking ceremony today (May 24, 2022) at the site of its new Roanoke Valley Lumber sawmill in Weldon, N.C. The company announced it planned to expand its operations in the Southeastern U.S. last summer with the new 375,000-square-foot, high-capacity dimensional lumber mill, during an event with N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper.
Since that initial announcement, extensive preparation work has occurred at the 200-acre Roanoke Valley Lumber site, former home to a Roanoke Valley Energy facility, to prepare for construction. Roseburg has contracted with BID Group to design, build and equip the sawmill complex. The mill is expected to create more than 135 jobs in the first two years.
Speakers at today’s groundbreaking included representatives for Roseburg; Mayor of the Town of Weldon Hugh Credle; President of Halifax Horizons Dan Brown; Chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners Vernon J. Bryant; and N.C. State Rep. Michael Wray.
“Roseburg has been the largest private timberland owner in the Roanoke Valley area since 2017, with nearly 200,000 acres of timberland in North Carolina and Virginia,” said Adam Reed, Roanoke Valley Lumber plant manager. “This new sawmill advances Roseburg’s strategy of vertical integration – owning the trees and the facilities to process them – from the West Coast to the Southeast. It reflects our long-term commitment to the Roanoke area, which has welcomed us to the community with open arms.”
“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone not only for Roseburg Forest Products, but also for Weldon,” commented Weldon Mayor Hugh Credle. “We are laying the foundation for the growth of Roseburg Forest Products and the Town of Weldon, and a tremendous partnership for years to come.”
Vernon Bryant, Chairman of the Halifax County Board of Commissioners, said: “We are excited to share this important milestone for Roseburg’s Roanoke Valley Lumber project. Since the project’s announcement, the company is already having a positive impact. Their management team has moved here, purchased homes, supported local businesses, and much more. This is how we grow Halifax County and improve our quality of life.”
N.C. State Rep. Michael Wray added: “Roseburg’s Roanoke Valley Lumber is a success story for Halifax County and the State of North Carolina. The project is a perfect example of the strong collaboration between the State and our local communities to bring sustainable manufacturing jobs and investment to North Carolina.”
Roseburg currently has 13 manufacturing facilities in North America, including the country’s second largest short lumber stud mill in Dillard, Ore. The company carefully selected the site for this new mill, with criteria including market demand, business climate, and workforce availability at the top of the list.
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About Roseburg Forest Products
Founded in 1936, Roseburg Forest Products is a privately-owned company and one of North America’s leading producers of particleboard, medium density fiberboard and thermally fused laminates. Roseburg is also a major manufacturer of softwood and hardwood plywood, lumber, LVL and I-joists. The company owns and sustainably manages more than 600,000 acres of timberland in Oregon, North Carolina and Virginia, as well as an export wood chip terminal facility in Coos Bay, Ore. Roseburg products are shipped throughout North America and the Pacific Rim. To learn more about the company please visit www.roseburg.com.
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