State offers grant for Jasper company’s expansion
A Jasper company is getting $300,000 from a state grant that will help it expand and offer new jobs in the area, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced today.
Jasper Lumber Co. is getting the money as a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, and that money is supplementing a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant that was awarded by Ivey in March. The money will boost production and create 60 new jobs for the company, Ivey said.
“I am always excited to see local companies expand and provide employment opportunities for people in their communities,” Ivey said in a statement. “I congratulate Jasper Lumber Co. and local leaders who helped make this expansion a success. I am pleased to assist through these funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission.”
ARC funds will be used to reconstruct two rail lines from the mill to the main railroad line enabling the company to transport its lumber.
The company’s expansion came about through an agreement with Tolko Industries, a Canadian-based company. Jasper Lumber expects its output of lumber to grow from 70 million to 200 million board feet annually.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs administers the ARC and CDBG programs in Alabama.
“ADECA is pleased to join with Gov. Ivey and the city of Jasper in this economic development project that will benefit Jasper, Walker County and northwest Alabama,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell.
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Walker County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
