Georgia-Pacific Lumber announced that they would be building a new lumber production facility in Talladega, Alabama, United States (U.S.). Construction on the US$100 million, 300,000ft² (27,870m²), technologically advanced plant has already begun, and is expected to open in late 2018. Once it is fully operational, the plant will employ more than 100 full-time employees, and generate an estimated US$5 million in annual payroll.
“The availability of talent and natural resources makes Talladega an ideal site for this new lumber production facility,” Fritz Mason, vice president and general manager of Georgia-Pacific, said. “The City of Talladega, Talladega County, and the State of Alabama have been incredibly supportive of this new venture and we look forward to a long and beneficial relationship.”
Currently, there are more than 2,300 Georgia-Pacific (GP) employees scattered around seven facilities in Alabama, and representing an additional 8,600 indirect jobs. In the last five years, Georgia-Pacific has invested approximately US$1.1 billion in additional capital and acquisitions in Alabama.
“Georgia-Pacific’s new investment in Talladega will bring good jobs and enhanced opportunities to the area’s citizens while also benefiting timber owners in the region,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “I am committed to working closely with businesses like Georgia-Pacific, which has a significant presence in the state, as we demonstrate to the world that Alabama is open for business and eager to form strong partnerships.”
The location for the state-of-the-art facility will be Georgia-Pacific’s former plywood plant that shut its doors in 2008 after more than 30 years of operation.
“We are extremely proud that Talladega continues to be the choice for commerce in Alabama,” Talladega city manager, Patrick Bryant, said. “We had a great relationship with GP at the plywood mill and we look forward to another long-term successful partnership.”
Once in production, the new facility will receive about 150 trucks full of logs a day, and produce approximately 230 million board-feet of lumber a year – and there are plans to expand production to 300 million board-feet per year in the future.
“Georgia-Pacific has seven other wood -related operating plants in the state,” Calvin Miller, executive director of the Talladega County Economic Development Authority, said. “This expansion illustrates their commitment to Talladega, Talladega County and the State of Alabama for many years to come.”
The project will provide jobs for approximately 120 workers a day at the peak of the 12-month-long construction period. And according to the University of Alabama’s economic modelling, the project will have an estimated economic impact of more than US$26 million on the city and county during construction.
“This new facility is the first of several we have in our current plan,” Mason added. “The demand for lumber continues to improve as the housing market recovers, so we are evaluating similar investments in Georgia, Texas and Mississippi.”
