Corrigan named timber products capital of Texas

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From Enterprise Staff

For more than 200 years, the City of Corrigan has been recognized for its rich and diverse timber industry. From the lush southern yellow pine forests and timber harvesters, to log truck drivers and wood manufacturing facilities, Corrigan’s economy has been, and continues to be, driven by the forest products industry. To validate its economic contribution to not only East Texas, but to the state of Texas, Corrigan has been designated as the Timber Products Capital of Texas.

The City of Corrigan and the Livingston-Polk County Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the timber products designation at 5:30 p.m. on March 21 at the Corrigan City Hall located at 101 W. Ben Franklin and the public is invited to be a part of the celebration.

“We are very excited about this new designation,” Corrigan Mayor Johnna Lowe-Gibson said. “This designation recognizes and celebrates those who work within the industry. Seeing wood products manufactured in the Corrigan area on store shelves or on construction sites all over the country instills a sense of pride for our industry employees and citizens.”

It was in the late 1800s following the construction of two railways – the Texas & New Orleans Railroad and the Trinity & Sabine Railway – when Corrigan established a lucrative timber-based economy. With 18 sawmills and counting, Corrigan was quickly put on the map and even recognized then as an industry leader.

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Now more than a century later, Corrigan and the surrounding communities are home to numerous logging companies and wood manufacturing companies. One of North America’s largest wood products manufacturer, Georgia-Pacific, operates a lumber mill and two plywood plants in Corrigan and Camden that employ approximately 1,000 people. In 2017 RoyOMartin brought its family owned OSB (oriented strand board) operations to Corrigan, and recently completed a significant expansion, now employing 223 people. While the maker of a variety of lumber, panels EWP and boards, Lincoln Lumber, began operating in the Corrigan area in 2005.  In addition to wood manufacturers, Corrigan is home to numerous logging operations and transportation companies.

After writing a proclamation recognizing Corrigan as the Timber Products Capital of Texas, Gibson applied for the official state designation.

“We are pleased that Corrigan is seen as a vital contributor to the Texas economy,” Gibson said. “With sustainable harvesting practices and the continued growth in local wood products manufacturing, we will continue the legacy of those who put Corrigan on the map more than 200 years ago.”