Monticello, AR – On Monday, Weyerhaeuser announced the construction of a new, state-of-the-art TimberStrand facility in Monticello, Arkansas. This facility will create 200 jobs for Southeast Arkansas and will be an economic boost for the Arkansas forestry industry. The Arkansas Forestry Caucus welcomes and celebrates this great news, forestry plays a significant role in Arkansas’ economy, especially in our rural communities and Weyerhaeuser’s announcement today highlights the importance of forestry in Arkansas.
“The announcement by Weyerhaeuser today is great news for Arkansas. Since the creation of the forestry caucus in 2022, we have advocated and passed legislation helping economic development efforts and expanding growth in the Arkansas forestry sector. Arkansas’ forests cover 18.9 million acres, or 56 percent of the state, and have more than 1.2 billion tons of standing timber. Thank you to the great work by Bradley and Drew County on intermodal freight transportation and the Arkansas Department of Commerce and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission for their work on attracting businesses. We will continue working in partnership with our foresters to expand this very crucial industry of the Natural State, “said Arkansas Forestry Caucus Chairman and State Senator for Drew County, Ben Gilmore (R – Crossett).
“In October, we had the groundbreaking of the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center in Monticello. Today, we are celebrating a jobs and economic development announcement for one of our state’s most important industries — forestry. Weyerhaeuser’s announcement today is just another way the Arkansas Forestry Caucus continues to champion a key economic driver of rural communities. Thank you to the Monticello Economic Development Commission and our local community leaders for making this happen. We will continue to advocate for sustainable forestry, innovative ways to promote forest products, and expanding the forestry industry in the 2025 legislative session, “said Arkansas Forestry Caucus Chairman State Representative Howard M. Beaty, Jr. (R – Crossett).
