Keystone Today

Lewis Lumber and Milling, Inc. will be opening its first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania, which will create 100 new jobs in Clarion County in a $15.2 million project, according to a May 4 announcement by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The company produces unfinished hardwood wide plank flooring, cabinet moldings and components, and recently purchased a vacant facility that was formerly a Sealy mattress plant at 16289 Route 322 in Clarion.

“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,” said Tom Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, Lewis Lumber. “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 project will include renovations to the structure, new construction and added machinery and equipment. Wolf said he was pleased that the company chose Pennsylvania for their second facility.

“Our prime northeast location will allow the company to distribute their product easily, and our dedicated and skilled workforce will provide them with top-notch employees,” said Wolf. “This is a great move for the company and for the commonwealth.”

Also involved in the project was Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), and Executive Director Jarred Heuer said the expansion is a “bright sign” for the manufacturing and labor industry in the region.

“Lewis Lumber is a people-oriented business, which should do very well toward building our local economy and empowering our community,” Heuer said. “The CCEDC is very excited to welcome them to Clarion County.”

Lewis Lumber received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development for a Pennsylvania First grant worth $340,000, as well as a workforce development grant to train workers for $200,000; $2 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan (PIDA); and was also urged to apply for the Manufacturing Tax Credit program.

The Governor’s Action Team (GAT) coordinated the project and over the past seven years it has invested $17.3 billion toward 413 completed jobs, 46,250 new jobs and 140,5000 retained jobs.

“This is the highest capital investment of a Governor’s Action Team project in Clarion County in the last seven years, and DCED is proud to have had a hand in bringing the company to Pennsylvania,” said Neil Weaver, DCED Acting Secretary. “Lewis Lumber will create a significant number of jobs in the region and breathe new life into a formerly vacant building – a win for the community, the company, and the commonwealth.”