TYLER, Texas — The company responsible for making YellaWood pressure treated pine announced Thursday it will build a wood treatment facility in the Tyler area, becoming the first company to establish roots at the Tyler Interstate Commerce Park.
During the annual Tyler Economic Development Council meeting, Southern Wood Preserving announced that they've purchased 150 acres within the new 412-acre industrial park, located at southwest intersection of Interstate 20 and State Highway 155 in the Owentown area.
Justin Wright, executive vice president at Southern Wood Preserving, said the company plans to develop 50 acres at first and the development will bring 100 jobs to the area.
Wright explained Southern Wood Preserving takes untreated lumber from saw mills, treats the wood and sends it off to stores, such as McCoy's and other small lumber shops. The other 100 acres will be used for future development, he added.
Southern Wood Preserving coming to the Tyler area will not only bring job creation, but also more dollars will be spent in East Texas and the company plans to get involved in the community even before the facility opening, Wright said.
He added that the trajectory of Tyler made the area a great choice for their latest facility.
Scott Martinez, TEDC president and CEO, said it's been a 13-month process prior to making the announcement. He sees the Southern Wood Preserving coming as a catalyst to get the industrial park going.
Martinez said it's always hard to be the first pioneer in a new development. The Smith County Commissioners Court approved $4.5 million to build a new road inside the industrial park.
According to the TEDC, over 47,700 vehicles travel along the I-20 and State Highway 155 intersection daily and includes more than 8,000 square feet of total frontage. TEDC is offering tax abatement incentives for eligible projects and other benefits for companies interested in settling in the Tyler Interstate Commerce Park.
Details on when construction for the facility will begin were not revealed.