Sign of better times? Sawmill expanding, adding jobs

GRENADA — Fly Timber is expanding its operations in Grenada.

The project represents a company investment of more than $6 million and will create 30 new jobs, bringing the total number of workers employed at the Grenada facility to 80, according to a news release from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA).

Fly Timber, which has had operations in Grenada for 32 years, is a hardwood-only sawmill and currently saws hardwood into mats for the oil and gas industry and cuts trim-grade hardwood and floor-grade hardwood for use in residential and commercial construction. The expansion will enable the company to begin cutting railroad crossties, which will then be shipped to a lumber treatment facility via rail car.

The MDA provided assistance in support of the project through the Development Infrastructure Program to rehabilitate and add on to a county-owned rail spur that will serve Fly Timber. Grenada County provided assistance for the rehabilitation and addition to the rail spur, as well.