Facility will create 125 jobs

    A major lumber company is locating a state-of-the-art sawmill in Newton, thus creating 125 jobs.

    Biewer Lumber is bringing the new sawmill to the area, with construction slated to begin the first quarter of 2016, and mill production expected to begin in early 2017.

    The announcement came Monday in a press release from the Mississippi Development Authority.

    The project represents a corporate investment of $85 million. Once operational, the new facility will expand the company’s mill production into the South, according to the release. Biewer currently operates four Midwest based sawmills, as well as three treatment/distribution centers.

    “Adding the Newton sawmill to our production capabilities will allow us to better serve our existing customers and to expand our customer base geographically,” said Biewer Lumber owner Timothy Biewer.

    “We are pleased to be locating our new mill in Mississippi with its abundance of timber, available workforce, and its friendly business environment,” Biewer said.

    Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant welcomed Biewer Lumber as the newest member of the East Mississippi business community, and newest partner to the state.

     “I know the area’s productive workforce and abundant supply of timber will position the company for many years of success in Newton,” Bryant said in the press release. “I thank the company for placing its confidence in our supportive business climate and for creating so many new jobs for the area’s workers.”

    Newton Mayor David Carr described the project as “truly a win-win” for Newton.

    “We’re grateful for the confidence Biewer Lumber has shown in the city of Newton and Newton County,” Carr said. “It’s a great match for the company and the community. We’re looking forward to the mill being under construction and soon joining the great group of employers we currently have in the area.”

    Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project for site preparation and rail and road improvements. Newton County and the city of Newton also assisted with the project.

    “We salute the teamwork of the city of Newton, Newton County and the Mid-Mississippi Development District, who partnered with the MDA team to bring this great opportunity to our state, creating more than 100 career opportunities for Mississippians in Newton County and the surrounding area,” MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough said. “We look forward to Biewer’s successful future in East Mississippi.”

    Headquartered in St. Clair Mich., Biewer Lumber manufactures and distributes lumber and building materials for use by contractors builders, and do-it-yourselfers. Biewer customers include retail lumber yards, home centers, and manufactures throughout the eastern U.S.

    Products include lumber for construction, secondary manufacturing and packaging; treated lumber for outdoor projects such as decks, patios and docks; deck essentials and accessories; fencing, poles and pilings; fire retardant treated lumber for commercial construction. For more information, visit www.biewerlumber.com.

Fast facts

    • Biewer Lumber is a privately held business headquartered in St. Clair, Mich.

    • Biewer currently employs more than 400 people at seven facilities in Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois.

    • The new sawmill will be constructed on an approximate 61 acre site in the Newton Industrial Park.

    • Construction of the mill is anticipated to begin in Spring 2016.

    • Expected startup of Mill operations in early 2017

    • About 125 people will be employed at the facility.

    • A substantial number of indirect jobs will be created in logging, trucking, supply chain and support over and above the 125 jobs at the plant.

    • Other spin off jobs will be created in retail and support throughout the East Central Mississippi.

    • Biewer will invest $85 million in the facility.

    • The sawmill will use Southern Yellow Pine sawlogs as raw material.

    • The facility is projected to use approximately 130 loads of wood per day or 1,100,000 green tons per year.

    • The plant has a projected production of 200,000,000 board feet per year of finished dimension lumber.

    • The operation will ship out lumber by rail and truck.