Dragon Woodland Sawmill Reopens Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, Sawmill
04/29/2019
The company purchased the former “Chicago” mill and has since invested $10 million in rebuilding the facility and purchasing new equipment.
At peak production, the former mill employed more than 1,500 workers during World War II to build crates to ship munitions overseas. Dragon Woodland Sawmill Corporation has expanded the facility and updated equipment, creating approximately 75 new jobs in the Arkansas Delta.
“Our company has a reputation for being professional, reliable and efficient,” said Operating Manager Shane Martin, “and when looking to expand, we found that Helena-West Helena was rich with abundant resources, both natural and human, that would continue to build on that legacy.”
According to company officials, Dragon Woodland Sawmill mills mostly red oak, white oak, ash, hickory, gum, poplar, cherry, sycamore and black walnut. In addition to domestic sales, they also export product to China and other Asian countries. Sister companies that support the facility are DragonFly logging and DragonFly trucking, also located in Helena-West Helena.
Along with the purchase of a logging and trucking company, the Helena-West Helena facility has enabled Dragon Woodland Sawmill to double its output capacity. The site will also store and ship materials to other contractors, to include flooring, furniture, and other various wood factories domestically.
“With nearly 19 million acres of forestland, the rich timber resources in Arkansas make the area attractive for growing companies like Dragon Woodland Sawmill,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson. “We are thrilled to welcome them to the state, where they will find abundant timber they need and some 28,000 workers skilled in the industry.”
“We’re proud to welcome Dragon Woodland Sawmill and applaud its reopening of the sawmill,” said Helena-West Helena Mayor Kevin Smith. “Our hardworking citizens look forward to supporting the company and exemplifying how rich the Delta is in regards to resources and opportunities for growth.”
Project Announcements
Little Leaf Farms Plans Coffee County, Tennessee, Production Operations
07/02/2025
White Rock Truss & Components Expands Lee County, Virginia, Operations
07/02/2025
Fox Tank Company Plans Coshocton, Ohio, Operations
07/02/2025
Ascentek Expands Shreveport, Louisiana, Operations
07/02/2025
ProBio Establishes Hopewell, New Jersey, Gene Therapy Operations
07/02/2025
22nd Century Technologies Expands Fairfax County, Virginia, Headquarters Operations
07/02/2025
Most Read
-
20th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2025
-
First Person: Joe Capes, CEO, LiquidStack
Q2 2025
-
The Legal Limits of DEI in Incentives Agreements, Hiring, and Contracting
Q2 2025
-
From Silicon to Server: Mapping the Data Center Supply Chain
Q2 2025
-
Rethinking Life Sciences Site Selection in a Resilient and Dynamic Market
Q2 2025
-
39th Annual Corporate & 21st Annual Consultants Surveys: What Business Leaders and Consultants Are Saying About Site Selection
Q1 2025
-
First Person: David Robey, Co-CEO of QTS Data Centers
Q2 2025