Lumber company opening Clarion County facility

Lewis Lumber and Milling, a Tennessee-based producer of unfinished hardwood wide plank flooring, cabinet moldings, and components, plans to open a manufacturing facility in Clarion County.

The facility will be the company’s first in Pennsylvania.

The company has purchased a vacant facility and plans to invest approximately $15.2 million in building renovations, new construction, and machinery and equipment. The project is expected to create at least 100 jobs within the next three years.

“Pennsylvania’s hardwoods and forestry industry is known for its quality and sustainability, which made selecting Clarion County as the home of our new manufacturing facility an easy choice,” Tom Edwards, Lewis Lumber COO, said. “Pennsylvania also provides a completely different species and population of trees – northern red oaks, white oak, and white hard maple – that we need for our product lines. We look forward to a successful future in the commonwealth.”

The Department of Community and Economic Development submitted a funding proposal for a $2 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan, a $200,000 workforce development grant to help train workers, and a $340,000 Pennsylvania First grant. The agency
encouraged Lewis Lumber to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit program.

The Governor’s Action Team coordinated the project, and the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation was involved.