When you think of the logging and timber industry, misty scenes from the Pacific Northwest might come to mind. However, a transformation has occurred in recent years, with Southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia emerging as some of America’s leading timber producers.
Brian Luoma sheds light on the region’s timber boom, explaining that it’s been fueled by the remarkable growth of timber even during economic downturns. While lumber production slumped during the recession, timber kept thriving, setting the stage for a new era in the Southern timber industry.
Sheldon Day, of Thomasville, Alabama, emphasized the importance of the timber industry to their community. With five pulp and paper mills within a 42-mile radius, Thomasville has long been a hub for timber-related businesses.
The Westervelt Company, founded in 1884, remains a family-owned business deeply rooted in the timber industry. With vast expanses of timberland and two cutting-edge lumber mills in Alabama, including the newly opened Thomasville Mill, Westervelt is at the forefront of the timber tech revolution.
Westervelt leaders see the new mill as part of a larger cycle that starts and ends with the planting of a tree. Brian reflects on the beauty of forestry in the South, where the land and soils are perfectly suited for growing, harvesting, and replanting trees. It’s a sustainable cycle that not only provides jobs but also contributes to the long-term health of the environment.
