North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Great Southern Wood-NC Inc., a manufacturer of pressure-treated lumber, will invest $40 million to build a lumber treatment manufacturing facility at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, creating 43 jobs in Scotland County, state officials announced.
“We are excited that Great Southern Wood has decided to plant roots in North Carolina,” Gov. Josh Stein said. “This new facility will strengthen our $41 billion forestry industry and offer more opportunities in Scotland County and beyond.”
Founded in Alabama in 1970, Great Southern Wood operates 16 treating plants. The Laurinburg facility will be the company’s 17th. The company produces pressure-treated pine and distributes other building materials to dealers serving residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural markets in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
The project is receiving a $200,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund to help establish the company’s operations in the state.
The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to support economic development projects. Companies do not receive funding upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment requirements before receiving payments. Grants also require matching funds from local governments.
“The forest sector serves as a critical foundation for economic success in all 100 counties,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said. “Great Southern Wood will benefit from our manufacturing economy, our skilled workforce, and our unwavering commitment to driving economic growth in each corner of the state.”
State Sen. Danny Earl Britt Jr. said the project demonstrates the impact of cooperation among local, regional and state economic development organizations.
“This win illustrates the power of collaboration,” Britt said. “The company’s decision is a great return on the investments that local, regional, and state partners have made to provide the site infrastructure that companies need.”
The project involves a broad group of state and local partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina Community College System.
Other partners include Richmond Community College, Golden LEAF Foundation, North Carolina Railroad Company, CSX Rail, North Carolina’s Southeast, Duke Energy, Southeast Regional Airport Authority, Scotland County, Scotland County Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Maxton and the City of Laurinburg.
The investment comes as North Carolina continues to promote its forestry and wood-products sector, which state officials value at approximately $41 billion and identify as a key contributor to the state’s economy.