Isle of Wight County, Va. – After being closed since 2009, the International Paper Sawmill in Isle of Wight County will re-open bringing 72 new jobs to the area.
The mill has been purchased by Franklin Lumber, LLC and is expected to restart at the end of the year. Governor McDonnell approved a $150,000 matching grant from the AFID fund to assist the county with this project.
Franklin Lumber is a new company started by former employees of the mill and they are planning to make $14.8 million in capital investments to the facility over the next five years.
They hope to start a second shift to create even more jobs once the mill is open again. Officials say the re-opening of the mill will also create opportunities for loggers and landowners in Virginia who will have the chance to sell forest resources.
