Hampton Lumber represents $225 million investment, creates at least 125 new jobs. * Hampton Lumber is investing $225 million to build its first East Coast sawmill in Allendale County, South Carolina. * The new lumber mill is expected to create at least 125 jobs in a rural, low-income area of the state. * Based in Oregon, the family-owned company will construct a 375,000-square-foot facility to produce Southern Yellow Pine lumber. * The new mill is projected to begin operations in 2027. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster visited the Lowcountry last week to participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for a project that developers say will bring at least 125 new jobs to one of the most poor and rural areas of the state. On Nov. 5, Gov. McMaster, representatives of the SouthernCarolina Alliance (SCA), and other state and local partners joined Hampton Lumber officials as they broke ground on a 375,000-square-foot lumber mill in Fairfax, which is located in Allendale County, not far from Hampton County. "Congratulations to Allendale County and the wonderful Hampton Lumber team!" announced SCA officials in the economic development alliance's monthly newsletter. Hampton Lumber, a producer of sustainable building materials, announced June 24 that had selected Allendale County to establish the company's first sawmill on the East Coast. "Hampton Lumber's new operation in Allendale County will be a notable addition to our state's forestry industry, while also providing opportunities for our people and contributing to the local economy," said Gov. McMaster in a statement. "We are proud the company recognized South Carolina as the ideal home for its first East Coast mill and look forward to supporting its success in our state." The company's $225 million investment is expected to create at least 125 jobs, officials said in a release at the time, in a S.C. Lowcountry county that is among the lowest-income areas of the state but is one of the richest in terms of timber and agricultural resources. "The enthusiastic, heartfelt support from the state and local community helped us come to the conclusion that this is the right location for us," said Hampton Lumber CEO Randy Schillinger. "We're happy to join the healthy wood products industry already present in the region, and we look forward to building partnerships in the area and supporting the communities in and around Allendale County. We are extremely grateful to the state of South Carolina, and the county and community partners who helped make this project possible." Headquartered in Oregon, Hampton Lumber is a fourth-generation, family-owned producer of high-quality wood products sourced from sustainably managed forest resources, states the company release. Operating nine sawmills in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Canada, the company markets and sells building materials worldwide. Hampton Lumber officials say the company will construct a "state-of-the-art," 375,000-square-foot lumber mill located at Highway 321 and Barker Mill Pond Road in Fairfax. The new operation will specialize in producing quality Southern Yellow Pine framing lumber. "Allendale County is proud to welcome Hampton Lumber, and we appreciate their investment in our community," said Allendale County Council Chairman Bill Robinson "Each of the 125 jobs created will provide a brighter future for families in our area, and Allendale County looks forward to supporting Hampton Lumber for years to come." "SouthernCarolina Alliance salutes Hampton Lumber for choosing Allendale County to establish their first East Coast operation, which will be a great addition to the growing forest product industry in the region," echoed SouthernCarolina Alliance Chairman Marty Sauls. "We appreciate the 125 jobs and investment this operation will bring to the region, as well as the opportunities it will provide in fueling our area's economy." The SCA is the leading economic development agency for several Lowcountry counties, including Allendale County, and works closely with local government officials and industry leaders to attract new companies to our area. Learn more about the SCA on its webpage, https://southerncarolina.org/ Operations are expected to be online in 2027. Individuals interested in joining the Hampton Lumber team can learn more about employment opportunities on the company's careers page. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project, say officials.

New sawmill breaks ground in SC, bringing jobs and materials for home construction. Here's where. With 12.9 million acres of forestland, South Carolina has a rooted history in the timber industry, which is continuing with the newest addition of a sawmill in Allendale County. Hampton Lumber, a fourth-generation, family-owned producer of building materials, is investing $225 million to build a modern sawmill in South Carolina's Lowcountry region, marking the company's first East Coast operation. The project is expected to bring at least 125 new jobs and begin operations in 2027. The 375,000-square-foot mill, located at Highway 321 and Barker Mill Pond Road in Fairfax, will specialize in producing Southern Yellow Pine framing lumber for use in single and multi-family home construction. Lumber from the facility will also go to truss plants, pressure treaters and professional dealers. Why South Carolina? Hampton Lumber states that this new operation will specialize in producing quality Southern Yellow Pine framing lumber, which the Palmetto State has in abundance. The company states that South Carolina "is home to a healthy wood product industry" that can support this new mill for years to come. Southern Yellow Pine forests are also known to grow quickly in warm, sunny climates. Hampton Lumber operates nine sawmills in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada, marketing and selling building materials worldwide. Ground-up operations. Hampton Lumber states that it is focused on "sustainable building materials" and products. To achieve this, "nearly 100% of every log that comes through" the mill is repurposed in one way or another, according to the company's spokesperson, Kristin Rasmussen. Any residuals left over from the lumber-making process will be available for things like pulp, paper and biofuel. Since trees are a renewable resource, Rasmussen notes that Hampton Lumber strives "to get the most out of every log." Construction and job creation timeline. Construction of the new mill is already underway, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Nov. 5 with Gov. Henry McMaster. Hampton Lumber recently hired the General Manager for the facility and expects to fill other leadership roles in the coming months, with most jobs becoming available during the fall and winter of 2026. The Fairfax site will host a range of roles once complete, ranging from skilled trades positions, equipment operators, to administrative services. Rasmussen states that this will be a modern, flexible mill and one of the "most efficient" in North America. Plans for the Hampton Lumber sawmill were announced in June, right on the cusp of two other sawmills in the state, Canfor Corp., with locations in Darlington and Estill, shuttering operations in August. The former Estill mill location sits about 15 miles away from the new Hampton Lumber mill. About Hampton Lumber. Hampton Lumber was founded in 1942 by Bud Hampton when he purchased his first sawmill in Oregon to support his lumber business. His son, John, then took on the company and spearheaded expansions across the Pacific Northwest. Today, Bud's grandchildren - Jamey, Elizabeth and David Hampton - lead the company. Hampton Lumber has grown to include forestland management, wholesale operations, remanufacturing facilities, engineered wood manufacturing, and sales. South Carolina's forest industry. According to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, this industry contributes roughly $23.2 billion to the state economy annually, provides more than 100,000 jobs and creates $5.5 billion in annual labor income. SCFC states that between primary and secondary mills, there are 889 in South Carolina. Primary mills manufacture lumber, paper or energy-related products, whereas secondary mills manufacture a value-added product like trusses, packaging or furniture. SCFC also notes that in comparison to other leading industries in the Palmetto State, forestry ranks #1 in jobs, #2 in labor income and #3 in direct economic output.