Twain Lumber Company Plans to Purchase More Than $51.2 Million of Virginia Forest Products Over the Next Three Years
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that Twain Lumber Company will invest $7.4 million to purchase and reopen the former Teal Jones sawmill operation in Henry County. Once operational, the facility will create 74 new jobs in the region, and the company will purchase more than $51.2 million of Virginia-grown forest products over the next three years.
“This new investment is a huge win for Henry County and our entire Commonwealth,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “Since 2024, this facility has sat empty, representing an untapped opportunity to grow our forestry industry and create new opportunities for Virginians in the region. Today, I am proud to welcome Twain Lumber Company to Henry County and thank them for the significant commitment they’re making to our Commonwealth.”
Governor Spanberger continued, “This investment continues my focus on driving economic development, creating new jobs, and expanding opportunities for forestry and the forest products industry across Virginia. I look forward to continuing to support the hardworking men and women who help this industry succeed.”
With the property secured, Twain Lumber Company will purchase new production machinery and upgrade equipment, enabling the sawmill to increase initial operational capacity from 80 million board feet annually to 108 million board feet at full capacity. This increased capacity will make it one of the largest Southern Yellow Pine sawmills in Virginia.
Earlier this year, Governor Spanberger signed bipartisan legislation creating the Commonwealth’s first-ever Farm & Forest Prosperity Plan, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop and implement a comprehensive strategic roadmap focused on strengthening agriculture and forestry — the Commonwealth’s number one and number three private industries. In April 2026, the Governor formally established the Virginia Wood Council through Executive Directive 2, tasked with rebuilding markets for forest products, growing a strong and resilient forestry industry, and addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Virginia’s forestry sector. The Governor also recently celebrated Virginia’s rise to #3 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings, reflecting a strong business climate that continues to attract high-caliber companies to the Commonwealth.
“Twain Lumber Company will help increase Virginia’s lumber production by reopening and expanding a sawmill utilizing sustainable and abundant Southern Yellow Pine. In doing so, this project will help boost the local economy, create new, higher paying jobs, and expand business opportunities for the Commonwealth’s timber owners, loggers, and foresters,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier. “I am pleased that the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development grant program will partner with Henry County and Twain Lumber Company as it revives the forestry industry in this region.”
“Twain Lumber Company’s investment shows what is possible when the state prioritizes cross-agency collaboration and coordinates with forward-looking companies,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery. “Twain will drive economic growth, expand market opportunities for Virginia’s timber producers, and bring substantial job growth to Southern Virginia. The Commonwealth stands ready to continue to foster growth in our forestry and agricultural industries.”
“Twain Lumber Company is excited to begin operations in Henry County and become part of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s manufacturing and forestry community,” said Twain Lumber Company Mill Manager Harrison Wicks. “This facility has a long history in the region, and we are proud to help bring it back to life after more than a year of inactivity. Restarting the mill and restoring approximately 74 jobs represents an important step for the local economy, and we appreciate the support we have received from the Commonwealth, local leaders, and the broader Martinsville community. We look forward to making long-term investments in the facility, our employees, and the region.”
Headquartered in Antlers, Oklahoma, Twain Lumber Company is committed to sustainability through responsible forestry practices, high log yield efficiency, and long-term environmental stewardship. Twain Lumber Company specializes in the production of high-quality dimensional Southern Yellow Pine lumber, which is one of the most trusted and versatile materials in modern construction. Native to the region, Southern Yellow Pine is valued for its exceptional strength, reliability, and adaptability across a range of applications.
“Earlier this year, I was thrilled to celebrate $7.5 million in federal funding to help Twain Lumber Company modernize and restart operations at the former Teal Jones sawmill. By bringing this facility back to life and purchasing tens of millions of dollars in Virginia-grown forestry products,” said U.S. Senator Mark Warner. “Twain Lumber is restoring good-paying jobs in Henry County, driving economic activity in the Martinsville region, and strengthening the Commonwealth’s forestry industry. This is exactly the kind of public-private partnership that can revitalize local industries and deliver lasting economic opportunity across Southside Virginia.”
“I’m glad Twain Lumber Company is investing $7.4 million in Henry County to reopen the former Teal Jones sawmill, creating 74 new jobs,” said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. “This investment will support Virginia’s timber producers, provide a critical boost to our forestry industry, and help grow Southside Virginia’s economy. I look forward to working with Governor Spanberger and state and local leaders to keep building on this progress and bring more economic opportunities to Virginia families.”
“This announcement is a strong example of how Henry County continues to build on its industrial legacy while positioning itself for the future,” said Jim Adams, Chairman of the Henry County Board of Supervisors. “Seeing the former Pine Products facility in the Horsepasture District return to productive use is meaningful for this community, and we’re especially encouraged that Twain Lumber Company’s investment will bring new life to the site with quality jobs that offer higher wages. It reinforces our commitment to supporting both new development and the revitalization of existing assets across the county.”
“It is exciting to see this facility come back to life, creating new jobs, bringing millions of dollars in new investment to our community, and once again supporting Virginia’s forestry industry, one of the Commonwealth’s largest industries,” said Tobacco Commission Member Delegate Eric Phillips. “Southern Virginia has a proud history of manufacturing and production, and projects like Twain Lumber show that tradition is alive and well. We have the workforce, the resources, and the work ethic for businesses to succeed here. I am proud the Tobacco Commission could help support this investment, and I look forward to welcoming Twain Lumber to Southern Virginia.”
“Twain Lumber’s investment and operation in Henry County is an economic boost for the locality, the region and Virginia’s forestry industry. This facility will create 74 new onsite jobs and even more jobs indirectly, which in turn will help reverse the area’s population decline,” said Senator William Stanley. “Thank you, Twain Lumber Company, for investing in Henry County and our community. This project transforms a raw regional resource and provides an opportunity for wealth generated from the land to stay in this community.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission worked with the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Spanberger approved a $150,000 performance-based Facility Grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund, and the Tobacco Commission approved a $150,000 Tobacco Region Incentive for Agribusiness Development Grant, both of which support projects sourcing Virginia-grown agriculture and forestry products. The Governor also approved a $59,200 grant from the Virginia Jobs Investment Program to support workforce training.
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Office of the Governor- CONTACT: press@governor.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – CONTACT: Michael Wallace, Michael.Wallace@vdacs.virginia.gov
Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission – CONTACT: Jordan Butler, jbutler@revitalizeva.org
Twain Lumber Company – CONTACT: Matt Wise, mwise@wisecapstrat.com
