Dirt was turned Monday signaling construction is ready to begin on a $110 million Teal-Jones sawmill at a site on LA Hwy. 3 in northern Bossier Parish, roughly two miles south of Plain Dealing.
Gov. John Bel Edwards was on hand along with a host of local and state officials to help break ground on what he called “. . . a big deal, not only for Plain Dealing and northwest Louisiana but for the entire state.”
Edwards said Louisiana’s wealth of timber has made it prime for the lumber and sawmill business, noting the variety of wood products created in the state’s mills. He also said Teal-Jones’ investment would stimulate the economy and create good jobs for workers in the area.
“These will be good jobs, averaging close to $50,000 a year,” he said. “And equally as important, these jobs will affect families.”
Speakers said the new mill will create 125 new direct jobs at the mill, plus 369 indirect jobs, for a total of 494 prospective new jobs in Louisiana’s northwest region. Officials believe as many as 120 construction jobs could also be created as the mill is built.
Equipment has already been busy clearing the just over 230-acre site in preparation for the mill. Completion of the project is anticipated in late 2023.
