INDEPENDENCE, Va. (AP) — A lumber company whose sawmill operation was destroyed by fire in 2012 is rebuilding and expanding production in Grayson County.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe said Monday that Independence Lumber plans to invest more than $5 million in the move that will retain 57 jobs and create 25 new ones.
The company also plans to purchase 90 percent of its timber needs from Virginia forests.
Independence Lumber’s new sawmill will produce a variety of lumber sourced from the region, including red and white oak, poplar, birch, hickory, and Eastern white pine.
Its products will be sold domestically and exported globally through the Port of Virginia.
McAuliffe approved a $100,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund for the project.
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