Officials from Hankins Lumber Company have announced the company is reopening its facility in Grenada, Mississippi, following a 15-month closure due to the downturn in the economy. The project represents a $1.5 million investment and is creating 120 jobs, many of which will be filled by former employees working at the facility when it closed.
A producer of southern yellow pine products, Hankins Lumber Company produces and supplies a variety of lumber and related products for commercial and residential clients throughout Mississippi, as well as the country’s retail and wholesale markets.
“I am grateful to the team at Hankins Lumber Company for again placing its confidence in our business climate and trust in our workforce. Hankins Lumber Company has been a great business partner to the state for more than forty years, and I appreciate the company for reinvesting in Mississippi,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “The reopening of this facility represents a new beginning for the company and for our economy, and I wish Hankins Lumber Company more years of success in Grenada.”
“We are pleased that we are able to reopen our facility and bring our employees back to work,” said Al Hankins, Hankins Lumber Company president. It was difficult to have to close the operation down for any length of time, but with the resurgence of the housing market and the renewed demands for timber products, we believe it now makes economic sense to reinvest in the business. We are eager to hire our employees back and get started. We appreciate the county supervisors, the Economic Development District and the Mississippi Development Authority for working hand-in-hand with us to make this reopening possible.”
The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project to refurbish a rail spur that services the company’s site. Grenada County provided assistance for the project, as well.
“Helping companies like Hankins Lumber Company restart its operations and rehire many of its former employees is an important part of what our agency does to help grow the economy in our state,” MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen said. “We are grateful to the Grenada County Economic Development District and the Grenada County Board of Supervisors who worked with us to make this project a reality.”
Headquartered in Grenada, Hankins Lumber Company began operations in 1972. The company uses southern yellow pine from throughout the state of Mississippi to produce its dimension lumber and boards. To learn more, please visit www.hankinslumber.com.
About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the state of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency. Approximately 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, MDA provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA’s website at www.mississippi.org.