Video: New Jobs Coming to Louisville

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LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Gov. Bryant was on hand Monday with local and company officials to announce Natron Wood Products locating to Louisville, Miss., in Winston County. Natron makes specialty plywood products. The company is expected to hire 200 new employees to operate the new plant. It is $10 million investment.

“I appreciate Natron Wood Products for choosing to locate its new operations in Louisville and for creating a significant number of jobs for the area’s workers,” Governor Bryant said. “I know our dedicated workforce, coupled with Mississippi’s strong business climate, will help ensure the company’s success in Winston County.”

Natron Wood Products’ new Mississippi facility will produce specialty plywood products, such as plywood overlay panels, which are commonly referred to as Medium Density Overlay and High Density Overlay. The panels are used primarily in large vertical and horizontal concrete structures and other residential and commercial construction applications. The facility will also produce high-grade marine plywood and sanded plywood products.

The company will operate from the 265,000-square-foot former Georgia Pacific plywood plant on South Church Street. That planted started laying off employees five years ago and ultimately shut down in late 2011 and early 2012. The city and county spent months getting the site cleaned up in hopes of bringing in a new tenant.

“We are really excited to be in a business-friendly state such as Mississippi, and we have enjoyed building a relationship with Mayor Will Hill and the citizenry of the city of Louisville,” said Natron Wood Products Owner Richard McDougal. “We look forward to the opportunity to expand our operations here, and we are committed to being a positive partner in the community for years to come.”

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the Appalachian Regional Commission for modifications and upgrades to the publicly-owned building.

“We are grateful to Natron Wood Products for recognizing Mississippi is a great place to do business and for revitalizing the former Georgia Pacific manufacturing facility,” said MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen.

“MDA thanks our partners in Winston County and the City of Louisville for their support of this project, and we wish the company years of success in Mississippi.”

Natron Wood Products operates as Jasper Wood Products in Jasper, Ore., where the company has been in business for more than 20 years. There, the company produces a number of timber products, including marine plywood, millworks, plyform for heavy concrete pours and interior and exterior fire retardant treating.