Log trucks are a familiar sight to most people in Georgia.  The timber industry provides thousands of jobs in the state, and those jobs are increasing.

Georgia-Pacific (GP), the Atlanta-based forest products company, announced last week the construction of a $135 million dimensional-lumber mill in Warrenton, west of Augusta. The 340,000-square foot, state-of-the-art plant is scheduled to begin operation in spring 2019. Shortly after the announcement from GP, Canfor, a lumber manufacturer headquartered in Canada, announced that it will begin construction of a $120 million sawmill in Washington, near Athens and Augusta, according to the Columbus Ledger.

The Georgia Forestry Commission says that a new report indicates that Georgia’s forest industry continues to provide a substantial impact to the state’s economy. In the past two years, notable increases were recorded in the number of jobs, compensation paid to employees, and output – the total revenue generated by the industry. Over 150,000 jobs in Georgia, and many here in Chattooga County, depend on the timber industry.

“Clearly forestry is a strong force in Georgia,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Chuck Williams. “Plus, these positive economic impacts complement forestry’s ongoing ecosystem services benefits to the state – clean air, clean water, wildlife, aesthetics and recreation.” A recent University of Georgia study showed ecosystem benefits provided by forests to Georgia have an estimated annual value of $37 billion.

Locally there are around twenty timber harvesters in Chattooga County and they along with local timber industries, including JP Smith Lumber Company in Menlo, provide hundreds of jobs.

Governor Nathan Deal says that the timber industry in Georgia is vital to the state’s economy and that the industry has seen an increase in jobs over the past six consecutive years.