CLAW Forestry Locating Sawmill Operations in Southwest Mississippi

• CLAW Forestry creating over 130 direct jobs
• Company investing nearly $200 million in sawmill

CLAW Forestry Services, LLC announced today that an affiliate is locating a state-of-the-art sawmill in Gloster within Amite County. The project represents a corporate investment of nearly $200 million and will create 131 direct jobs and support an additional 200 indirect jobs when operating at full capacity. Construction will begin this summer and lumber manufacturing will commence in late 2023 or early 2024.

The new mill will require in excess of 1 million tons of timber annually to produce approximately 250 million board feet of lumber. The facility will be located on 65 acres of land, which includes the former Georgia Pacific site. In connection with the new sawmill facility, efforts are underway to resume operation of the Gloster Southern Railroad to further revitalize industry and jobs in the underserved community.

The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for infrastructure improvements and site development. Amite County also is assisting with the project.

CLAW Forestry plans to fill the jobs over the next four years.

QUOTES

“This project is a win-win for Claw Forestry and Amite County. This massive corporate investment will have a tremendous impact on the regional community and will create and support over 330 jobs for Mississippians. Mississippi’s economy is on fire, and this project is further proof of that. Thank you to the entire CLAW Forestry team for their continued commitment to our home state.” – Gov. Tate Reeves

“Agriculture, forestry and wood products are top economic drivers for Mississippi, and companies are increasingly investing in our state and creating good jobs in order to capitalize upon the abundance of natural resources we offer. MDA is glad to support CLAW Forestry as the company prepares to build a new sawmill in Amite County. The investment and jobs being generated by CLAW will significantly benefit Gloster and Amite County for years to come while demonstrating to the world that Mississippi is the place to be for long-term success in this important sector.” – MDA Deputy Director Laura Hipp

“We are excited to bring a modern state-of-the-art sawmill to Southwest Mississippi. This new mill will be a much-needed economic stimulus for the area, in the form of over 130 new high-paying jobs and an outlet for well over 1 million tons of sawtimber each year.” – CLAW Forestry Manager Billy Van Devender

“Amite County Board of Supervisors applauds the town of Gloster for being proactive and working to secure industry for the town of Gloster that will also benefit Amite County. The Board looks forward to working with Gloster to develop this project.” – Amite County Board of Supervisors

“I really can’t find the words to express the degree of excitement I have about this project. I, along with the Board of Aldermen and the town of Gloster, will forever be grateful. I see a bright future not only for Gloster, but for the entire county of Amite.” – Mayor Jerry Norwood, Town of Gloster and Board of Aldermen

“Governor Reeves, CLAW Forestry and MDA stayed focused for months on securing this project for Southwest Mississippi. For years, forestry has been a staple in our way of life here in Southwest Mississippi, with generations of families growing and harvesting timber. The nearly $200 million private investment and the 130 new jobs is a game changer for the town of Gloster, Amite County and the Southwest region.” – Board Attorney for the Town of Gloster Angela Cockerham, who serves as the state representative for the area

About Mississippi Development Authority

Mississippi Development Authority is the state’s lead economic and community development agency. MDA focuses on new business recruitment, existing business expansion, workforce training, and tourism promotion. For more information, visit MDA’s website at mississippi.org.

Contact:

Tammy Craft Dudley, Public Relations Bureau Manager – tcraft@mississippi.org – (601) 359-6556

Source: Mississippi Development Authority