US-based timber manufacturer Barge Forest Products has announced plans to expand its sawmill operations in Macon, Noxubee County, with an investment of more than $8.3m.
The project will build a new facility and introduce a production line equipped with optimised edging and twin horizontal resaw technology.
The upgrades are intended to increase efficiency and significantly boost the plant’s annual production capacity.
The Mississippi Development Authority supports the expansion through a loan guarantee programme and the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFLEX) scheme. Noxubee County is also contributing to the project.
The new facility is expected to be completed by October 2027.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said: “With 19 million acres of forestland, Mississippi is a powerhouse in the forest products industry.
“For more than 35 years, Barge Forest Products has been part of that success in Macon, and this latest investment positions the company for many more.
“Mississippi products reach customers around the world, and projects like this strengthen our reputation as a state that produces and delivers quality goods.”
Founded in 1985, Barge Forest Products specialises in manufacturing southern yellow pine lumber, offering extended-length products primarily for construction.
The company supplies markets across North America, North Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Asia.
Barge Forest Products operations executive vice-president Jason Ebert said: “We are excited to invest in the future of our operation and community.
“With support from the Mississippi Development Authority and the Noxubee County Board of Supervisors, this project will strengthen our competitiveness, improve efficiency and significantly increase log recovery, making better use of our available timber resources while supporting economic growth in the area for years to come.”
