C-Wood Lumber Co. Uses New Markets Tax Credits to Modernize the Domestic Timber Industry

With the support of $19.5 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, dry kiln operation C-Wood Lumber Co. will upgrade their facilities to strengthen domestic timber production, create quality rural jobs, and advance workforce opportunities for underserved populations. This expansion will modernize operations, increase production capacity, and support national efforts to build a more resilient U.S. lumber supply chain.

To remain competitive in the Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) market, C-Wood will expand and modernize their facility, supporting increased volume and a broader market reach. Upgrades will include the construction of a new dry kiln building, along with repurposing an existing building into offices and shipping space.

A new kiln system will reduce drying time to just 24 hours, supporting a production ability of 5 million board feet per month, with capacity to grow. C-Wood will also install a planer mill capable of producing key lumber for both domestic and export markets, strengthening the rural Tennessee economy and contributing to national efforts to reshore the lumber industry.

Founded in 1983 by Brenda Farris Sandusky, C-Wood Lumber Co., Inc. represents over 40 years of leadership in Tennessee’s timber sector. C-Wood was launched with an original mission to bring economic opportunities to rural Wayne County. Since then, Brenda has served on multiple regional and national boards including the Tennessee Forestry Association and the American Hardwood Export Council, positioning C-Wood as a respected exporter to domestic and international clients. Brenda’s continued advocacy for workforce expansion and training access reflects her deep-rooted commitment to empower underutilized populations and equip future generations with the tools to achieve the same.

Wayne County, Tennessee is a Tier 4 At-Risk Distressed County, making this project vital to stimulating their economy. Along with a continuous labor shortage in the area, many sawmills around C-Wood’s facility have closed because they simply couldn’t get enough hardwood to operate five days a week. C-Wood’s expansion enables these companies to dry and finish lumber locally, broadening market competitiveness. It also gives local farmers and craftsmen the ability to process and sell lumber for use in barns, homes, furniture, and other products.

The developing facility is also set to increase truck traffic, estimating at a minimum of 486 trucks per month, raising demand for fuel, lodging, and restaurant services in the area. This will also help lower natural gas costs for residents by boosting year-round consumption and allowing the City of Collinwood to negotiate better rates and improve its budget. C-Wood’s expansion represents more than just the growth of one company, as it supports a broader ecosystem of small timber businesses and stimulates regional commerce for surrounding Wayne, Hardin, Lewis, McNairy, and Decatur Counties.

Since the company’s founding, C-Wood has made a commitment to implementing reentry workforce initiatives and community restoration practices. This project represents the largest private investment in Collinwood for over 50 years, creating and retaining 49 full-time positions and providing an average wage 105% above the living wage in Wayne County.  An estimated 20-40% of employees will be recruited from jail workhouse and adult substance abuse rehabilitation programs, reinstating the company’s mission to provide quality jobs to underserved communities and create stable pipelines for career advancement. The project will also generate 40 temporary construction jobs, with 90% of positions expected to be accessible to those without a four-year degree, and 50% expected to be filled by minority individuals.

C-Wood currently partners with the Wayne County Re-Entry Program, offering hands-on workforce training to incarcerated individuals. The company has promoted several program graduates into permanent and even managerial positions, proving the program’s success in building long-term career pathways. C-Wood also covers certain transportation costs for employees to ensure consistent and reliable access to the job site.

Additionally, founder Brenda Sandusky and her family donated land for transitional housing through the How Can I Help Committee, which assists formerly incarcerated individuals and those recovering from addiction in rebuilding their lives with dignity and stability. Community members are supported through financial literacy education, addiction recovery programs, and accessible mental health resources.

C-Wood currently utilizes 100% of its residual waste, repurposing sawdust and other byproducts for local use. To further enhance their sustainability practices, C-Wood plans to use its own wood waste to fuel its existing waste-fired boiler and the additional natural gas fired dry kiln that will be added through the expansion project. This system will help power the existing hardwood kilns currently in operation, improving efficiency and allowing the facility to expand hardwood processing without relying on fossil fuels. Excess sawdust will be sold to two nearby factories in Collinwood, contributing to a regional circular economy that minimizes environmental impact. Enabling these local timber processing systems also reduce emissions associated with long-distance transportation.

C-Wood’s sustainability initiatives will improve forest management practices across five Tennessee counties, preserving local natural resources and promoting protective forestry techniques throughout the region. C-Wood’s boilers are also certified as non-emitting and operate in compliance with the guidelines set forth by both the Tennessee Forestry Association and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division. Lastly, C-Wood is certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), a nationally recognized program that promotes responsible forest management and environmental stewardship.

In March 2025, the federal government initiated a Section 232 investigation into whether imports of timber, lumber, and derivative wood products threatened U.S. national security and economic resilience. The investigation emphasized the importance of reliable domestic wood-product supply chains and increased domestic production capacity.

C-Wood’s expansion directly supports this federal initiative by bolstering U.S. manufacturing and lumber processing in a strategically vital sector. Through this expansion, C-Wood’s facilities will enable a higher volume output of locally sourced Southern Yellow Pine, fortifying domestic supply chains. This investment not only aligns with the administration’s policy goals but also positions rural America to play a vital role in securing the nation’s industrial base.

In addition to harvesting timber from their own land, C-Wood’s largest supplier, Roach Lumber Co., purchases logs from local landowners and suppliers, generating income for small-scale forest owners and fostering strong community partnerships. This approach also diversifies their raw material sources, enabling the company to respond to fluctuating market demand. By blending self-sourced timber with locally purchased logs, Roach Lumber optimizes production efficiency, maintains competitive pricing, and ensures a steady, reliable supply chain for domestic and international markets including China, Vietnam, Spain, the Middle East, Italy, Ireland, and Mexico.

The New Markets Tax Credit program continues to prioritize transformative projects in communities that need it most. C-Wood Lumber Co.’s expansion represents more than a facility upgrade, but an investment in rural job creation, long-term career advancement, sustainable forestry practices, and strengthened domestic supply chains. C-Wood is building a stronger future for Wayne County and the surrounding regions for generations to come.