Klausner wants local contractors
Published 1:36 pm Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Friedrich Klausner is looking to use local contractors as much as possible in the establishment of the state-of-the art sawmill in western Suwannee County, Suwannee County Economic Alliance President Dennis Cason said.
“The Economic Alliance will serve as the contact for Klausner and is collecting information concerning potential product or service companies,” since the company has no local office right now, according to Cason. “This information will be passed along to Klausner representatives as it is received.
There is no schedule for recruiting employees at this time. However, the process will be provided through North Florida Workforce which is headquartered in Madison but that has an office in Live Oak. The Workforce will announce the schedule for recruiting at a later time.
A groundbreaking date hasn’t been set yet.
The sawmill will be located west of the I-10 and US 90 West interchange.
The Florida Department of Transportation will improve US 90 near the area by creating a four-lane highway from the interchange to 169th Road including turn lanes from both directions. Much of the truck traffic will use I-10.
“Of course the addition of jobs in our county will increase traffic,” stated Cason. “However, any increase in traffic will lead to growth in business, an increase in indirect jobs and an increase in the economy of Suwannee County.”
According to Cason, the sawmill will generate more companies to the area who manufacture wood products. “The (Economic Alliance) has been contacted by numerous businesses who are interested in collocating with Klausner,” said Cason. “At this time the number and name of these companies remains confidential.”
The sawmill will sit on the catalyst site which was designed by the state in 2007 as one of four such sites in Florida with the goal of rural strategic marketing for each of Florida’s Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern.
“With the location of the Klausner Lumber One facility, Suwannee County’s catalyst site becomes the first catalyst site in the state to be developed,” said Cason.
