MONTGOMERY— A $300,000 grant awarded by Gov. Kay Ivey will help a Jasper lumber company boost production while creating 60 new jobs and preserving 90 existing ones.
The city of Jasper will use the Community Development Block Grant to refurbish a railroad spur line to Jasper Lumber Co., increasing the 30-year-old company’s ability to sell more lumber products.
“Alabama companies are continuing to grow, and that is certainly the case in the lumber and timber business,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am delighted to provide this grant that will help Jasper Lumber Co. grow and prosper, providing job security for current employees and opening new job opportunities.”
A partnership between Jasper Lumber Co. and Tolko Industries, a Canadian-based company, will help the company expand and invest in new and updated equipment. The partnership is expected to help Jasper Lumber Co. increase production from 70 million to 200 million board feet of southern pine lumber annually. Jasper Lumber Co. currently employs 90 people.
Local leaders also expect the expansion to create several related jobs in Walker County and the surrounding area.
CDBG funds will be used to install or refurbish about 800 feet of rail line to the plant. The existing rail line hasn’t been used during the past 15 to 20 years.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grant from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Gov. Ivey is supportive of local companies and the benefits they provide in terms of jobs and adding to the local economy,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to be a partner in this project.”
Gov. Ivey notified Mayor David P. O’Mary that the grant had been approved. The city of Jasper is supplying a local match of $100,000.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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