Boise Cascade plans $75M upgrade in Oakdale

Boise Cascade Wood Products in Oakdale announces it will invest $75 million to expand and modernize its Allen Parish facility.

The projects will increase its veneer production capacity by 30 percent and allow the mill to produce up to 400 million square feet of dry veneer each year.

The upgrade will add 30 new direct jobs to the community while keeping the 370 current jobs. Louisiana Economic Development estimates 77 new indirect jobs will be created as a result of the multi-million dollar project.

The projects include upgrade and redesign of Oakdale’s log utilization center, installation of a new six-deck veneer dryer and press and modification of an existing veneer dryer. The upgraded technology is designed to increase productivity and will allow Oakdale to supply additional veneer to Boise Cascade’s engineered wood products (EWP) facility in central Louisiana. The company also operates a plywood and veneer facility in Florien, Louisinaa.

“Boise Cascade has a long history of doing business in Louisiana, and in fact, mill capacity at our EWP mill near Alexandria is the largest in North America,” Boise Cascade Wood Products Executive Vice President Mike Brown said. “This major investment in Oakdale reflects our ongoing commitment to invest in job sustainability and the state’s economy.”

Boise Cascade anticipates construction to start in the second half of 2024, with an estimated completion date in mid-2025. Construction is expected to generate 238 jobs at peak construction.

“We want to congratulate and thank Boise Cascade for its commitment to Allen Parish,” Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance Vice President of Economic Development Jonathan Dean said. “This $75 million investment in the Oakdale facility is a testament to the quality workforce we have in our communities.”

To secure the project in Oakdale, the state of Louisiana offered Boise Cascade a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. It also includes a $750,000 performance-based forgivable loan from the Economic Development Award Program for infrastructure and equipment repairs, contingent upon board approval and meeting investment and payroll targets. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs.

“The Allen Parish Police Jury is excited that Boise Cascade has decided to expand on its current investments in Allen Parish,” the Allen Parish Police Jury said in a statement. “We are thankful Boise Cascade continues to value the unique assets of our parish. The wood products industry has been vital to Allen Parish families and the local economy throughout its history, and Boise Cascade’s upcoming project helps ensure that the industry remains alive and continues to grow in our area.”

Boise Cascade Company is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of building products. For more information, please visit BC.com.