The North Carolina Railroad Company announced it will invest up to $600,000 in infrastructure for Great Southern Wood-NC, Inc. for its new manufacturing facility in Scotland County, N.C.
The lumber company plans to establish the new facility with a $40 million investment, and estimates it will create more than 40 full-time jobs. An NCRR Invests grant will help fund the design and construction of on-site rail infrastructure for the new facility at Laurinburg-Maxton Airport.
NCRR Invests uses private revenue from the North Carolina Railroad Company to fund rail projects that will attract new employers, expand existing industry and keep North Carolina competitive, the company said. Since its launch in 2016, the program has funded more than $18 million in rail-related improvements and aided in creating more than 12,200 jobs.
“Rail-served businesses like Great Southern Wood-NC understand the benefits of lower transportation costs, greater supply chain efficiency and expanded market access. The track to sustained success is built on infrastructure,” Carl Warren, president and CEO of the North Carolina Railroad Company, said.
Once operational, Great Southern Wood-NC will use the rail project to receive and distribute a minimum of 421 railcar shipments annually by 2030. The Laurinburg facility will be Great Southern Wood-NC’s 17th treating plant, officials said. The company produces pressure-treated pine and distributes a variety of building materials for the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors in 28 states and the District of Columbia.
North Carolina Railroad Company partnered with the office of North Carolian Gov. Josh Stein, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Community College System, Richmond Community College, the Golden LEAF Foundation, CSX Rail, North Carolina’s Southeast, Duke Energy, the Southeast Regional Airport Authority, Scotland County, the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation, the Town of Maxton, and the City of Laurinburg.