Sawmill operator The Lumber Manufactory has established a new operation in New Albany, investing more than $15 million and creating more than 50 jobs in Union County.
The company, known as TLM, constructed the sawmill to take advantage of Mississippi’s abundant pine sawtimber resources. The availability of timber was a key factor in the company’s decision to locate the operation in the state.
The new facility also is expected to provide another market for private landowners looking to sell timber while strengthening Mississippi’s forestry and wood products industries.
“Forestry is one of our state’s leading industries, and TLM is capitalizing on one of our greatest natural assets — our abundant timber resources,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “The company’s New Albany sawmill also creates new opportunities for Mississippi timberland owners by providing another market for their timber while creating more than 50 jobs and bringing a new multimillion-dollar project to the state.”
Reeves said investments such as the TLM project can have long-term benefits for communities.
“These are the kinds of wins that grow local tax bases and create opportunities that carry over for generations,” Reeves said.
The Mississippi Development Authority is assisting the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive, or MFLEX, program. AccelerateMS and Union County also are providing assistance.
MDA Executive Director Bill Cork said TLM’s decision to establish operations in New Albany reflects continued economic development momentum across Mississippi.
“TLM’s new sawmill in New Albany adds to the continued momentum driving growth across our state,” Cork said. “Companies choose Mississippi because they can build faster and go farther thanks to our exceptional resources, skilled workforce and strong public partnerships. TLM is the latest to recognize the opportunities that make Mississippi a premier place to grow and succeed.”
TLM was founded in 2023 by a team of executives with experience helping build and scale several major American technology and manufacturing companies, including Anduril, Blue Origin and Nvidia.
TLM co-founder and CEO Michael Grasso said Mississippi’s timber resources and support from state and local partners helped make the New Albany operation possible.
“Mississippi has been an outstanding partner in bringing this facility to life, and we are grateful to Governor Reeves, MDA, AccelerateMS, Union County and the New Albany community,” Grasso said. “America has a timber surplus and a lumber manufacturing deficit, and our new state-of-the-art mill here creates a tremendous opportunity to build more sawn wood products at home. We are proud to begin that work in Mississippi.”
The sawmill is located in New Albany’s Glenfield Industrial Park and is now operational.
New Albany Mayor Jeff Olson welcomed the company’s investment and said the community has a history of supporting manufacturers as they establish and expand operations.
“We are pleased with The Lumber Manufactory’s decision to locate in the Glenfield Industrial Park,” Olson said. “We appreciate the company’s decision to invest in our community. New Albany has a well-documented track record of providing a unique ecosystem for diverse manufacturers to establish operations from startup to production and beyond.”
Olson said city leaders look forward to supporting the company’s future development.
“We look forward to working with TLM to continue their momentum and growth,” Olson said.
The project adds to Mississippi’s forestry and wood products sector while providing a new buyer for the region’s pine sawtimber. In addition to the more than 50 jobs created by the sawmill itself, the operation is expected to support activity among timberland owners, loggers, trucking companies and other businesses connected to the forestry supply chain.