Price’s Wood Products Secures NMTC Financing to Advance Sawmill and Timber Harvesting Operations

Price’s Wood Products (PWP) and Big Dawg Industries (BDI) are expanding their sawmill and timber harvesting operations in Iberville and Pointe Coupee Parishes, Louisiana. This transformative project is designed to increase production capacity, improve operational efficiency, and allow for uninterrupted, year-round operations despite seasonal weather challenges. Key investments include major upgrades to both primary sawmill lines, installation of new wet long storage facilities, construction of paved concrete yards to mitigate weather-related downtime, acquisition of advanced sawmill and logging equipment, and expansion of timber inventory holdings.

Price’s Wood Products specializes in the production of kiln-dried Cypress lumber, hardwood lumber, and custom solid wood timbers and beams, serving both the regional and national wholesale markets. PWP is the only known manufacturer in the U.S. capable of producing kiln-dried Cypress timbers at scale.

Their vertically integrated partner, Big Dawg Industries, focuses on sustainable timber harvesting and log procurement, ensuring a steady and high-quality supply of raw materials to support PWP’s production lines. Together the two companies provide critical productions for construction, infrastructure, and specialty wood markets.

With 20+ years of industry experience, owner and operator Brett Price and his management team have built a strong reputation for product quality, innovation, and customer service. This expansion will position the two companies as long-term leaders in sustainable rural manufacturing while supporting the regional forestry economy.

The expansion of PWP and BDI will create crucial employment opportunities in a severely distressed and rural area. Through this project, 25 new full-time jobs will be introduced, and another 30 employees will be retained. The average wage is projected at $22.83 per hour, exceeding the local living wage, and all positions will be accessible to those without a four-year degree. By offering pathways to quality careers, PWP and BDI will help lift residents toward greater financial stability and preserve critical employment anchors in the rural economy.

The companies’ new year-round production abilities will insulate operations from seasonal disruptions that traditionally impact rural industries. The project will act as a powerful catalyst for regional economic development by boosting annual gross sales by $8.8 million, directly broadening local purchasing power and stimulating supporting sectors such as transportation, equipment maintenance, fuel supply, and construction services. By sourcing locally and engaging a network of Louisiana-based service providers, the project will also generate a strong multiplier effect throughout the region. This new economic activity will help stabilize the local tax base, support community infrastructure investments, and create secondary jobs beyond those directly employed by the two companies. By ensuring consistent production and fulfilling increasing nationwide demand for specialized wood products, PWP and BDI strengthen their market position, securing jobs and economic stimulation for decades to come.

Big Dawg Industries focuses on selective harvesting of cypress and hardwood species, avoiding clear-cutting practices that can lead to deforestation and habitat loss. The company’s ability to purchase multiple timber tracts allows them to plan harvesting schedules more sustainably, rotating logging activity and preserving soil health and biodiversity over time.

PWP’s planned transition from natural gas to Combined Heat and Power (CHP) biomass systems will significantly reduce carbon emissions. By utilizing wood waste generated from sawmill operations as a renewable energy source, the company will move toward carbon neutrality, cutting reliance of fossil fuels and lowering its environmental footprint. Further facility upgrades like improved saw lines and advanced recovery systems will drastically increase material yield from each log, minimizing overall waste. Previously discarded slab and sawdust will now be converted into valuable byproducts, reducing the volume of organic waste sent to landfills. Lastly, the installation of paved concrete yards and improved wet log storage areas will reduce soil erosion and control stormwater runoff, protecting surrounding waterways from sedimentation and pollution during heavy rainfall. These facility investments align with the company’s broader climate resiliance goals and demonstrate leadership in sustainable rural manufacturing.

Without New Markets Tax Credit funding, Price’s Wood Products and Big Dawg industries would be constrained by aging infrastructure, seasonal weather disruptions, limited log inventory capacity, and outdated production equipment, all of which currently cap production volumes and prevent the businesses from meeting increasing market demand. Through this expansion, the two companies display a deep commitment to the economic renewal and long-term viability of Iberville and Pointe Coupee Parishes, providing a stable foundation for future generations to come.