Ribbon Is Cut For New Company That Could Bring Hundreds Of Jobs

October 22, 2010

A ribbon cutting was held for Friday afternoon a group of new industries planned for Century that could mean up to 500 jobs, breathing life back into the old Alger-Sullivan Lumber complex that has sat idle for a number of years.

Century Lumber and Land, LLC plans is already working to renovate a portion of the old lumber mill site for new industries and new jobs.

“It’s exciting, and maybe that’s an understatement,” said Jim Craft, CEO of Century Lumber and Land.

“If this all comes out like it is planned to be, it’s going to be a shot in the arm for Century,” Mayor Freddie McCall told the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting. “It’s just unimaginable what it is going to do.”

“Escambia County is proud to have you here; we know that jobs are the most critical thing in our economy right now,” Escambia County Commissioner Wilson Robertson said as he pledged Escambia County’s help in any manner possible to make the Century venture a success.

As dignitaries from across the area gathered for the ribbon cutting, a steady stream of people ventured onto the complex hoping to apply for a job (pictured). But according to Craft, applications will not be accepted at the Front Street location.

Applications are currently being accepted at Workforce Escarosa at 8120 North Century Boulevard.

The ribbon cutting was first tentatively set for September 18, then was delayed until October 16. Then, company officials delayed the ribbon cutting a third time until Friday while they worked to finalize financing for their ventures.

Century Lumber and Land, LLC plans to join Railmark Holdings and Milton Timber to announce a total of five ventures slated for Century.

The companies will, over a course of time, be in the business of:

  • treating railroad crossties
  • dry kiln treating domestic lumber for the building industry
  • building and selling lumber kilns
  • repairing freight railcars, railroad track and maintenance
  • processing and marketing Paulownia trees as biomass fuel and wood products

In addition, officials have announced that a methane generation plant operated by Integrated Energy Partners of Orlando may locate at the Century complex. IEP had previously announced plans to locate in Jay, but the company was unable to persuade the Santa Rosa County Commission to back an industrial bond issue. IEP has asked the Century Town Council for a memorandum backing a bond issue, but that council has referred the request to their attorney for review.

Century Lumber and Land unofficially announced the ventures at a September 2 meeting of the Century Chamber of Commerce. Century Lumber and Land  Manager Jim Craft said at that meeting that the operations would eventually employee 300 to 500 people within a 36 to 42 month period.

Pictured top: The ribbon is cut Friday afternoon for Century Lumber & Land’s new venture in Century. Pictured inset: A group hoping to apply for a job gathered during the ribbon cutting. Pictured below: Century Mayor Freddie McCall (left) addresses the crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting. NorthEscambia.com  photos, click to enlarge.


Comments

4 Responses to “Ribbon Is Cut For New Company That Could Bring Hundreds Of Jobs”

  1. Cesar G on October 24th, 2010 10:28 pm

    l’m excited about that. l talk you Century friends: God is looking for better things in our Century City…………………whuoooooooooooooooppp!!!!!!!!!

  2. Molino resident on October 24th, 2010 4:08 pm

    This is great for Century. I hope it all happens.

  3. Bamcubz on October 24th, 2010 12:51 pm

    Yeah…. I’ll believe it when I see it.

  4. Century girl on October 24th, 2010 12:09 am

    Possibilty of 500 jobs and No Comments…??? Is everyone as skeptical as I am?
    I hope for new companies and growth but I hope for real, legitamate companies that are good for Century, Safe for our environment and bring good opportunity to our people… If this company will do that- then I wish them all the best.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News