Western Producer Goes South

Idaho Forest Group is building a sawmill in Lumberton, Miss., in Lamar County. The project is a $120 million corporate investment and will create up to 135 jobs.

Headquartered in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, IFG operates six sawmills and a fingerjoint plant at locations in Idaho and Montana. The company manufactures, markets and distributes a variety of lumber products to consumers predominantly across North America and has the capacity to produce more than 1 billion BF per year, making it one of the country’s largest lumber producers.

The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for site preparation and rail upgrades. Lamar County and the city of Lumberton also are assisting with the project. IFG is working closely with Pearl River Community College on several workforce training initiatives. Details about training and employment opportunities will be available in early 2021.

“This is the most exciting news we’ve received in Lumberton in quite some time, and we are thrilled that IFG has chosen Lumberton as their new home in the Southeast U.S.,” says Lumberton Mayor Quincy Rogers.

IFG plans to begin construction on the new sawmill in early 2021 and expects it to be operational in 2022.

The Lamar County Board of Supervisors agreed to transfer 174 acres of county land to IFG for the project. The site is between Lumberton and Interstate 59, along Old Highway 11.

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