Page 14 - Georgia Forestry - Issue2 - Spring 2018
P. 14
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The recovery
is finally coming around to
rural areas. The announcement (of the mill) has already had an impact.”
— OB McCorkle, Executive Director of the Development Authority of Warren County
Jim McMichael, a forestry consultant, leaned against his truck outside his office in Warrenton one afternoon and talked about the decline of wood. It has been a grind for McMichael Land and Timber, which he operates with his son, Lane. Is this a turning point? He has been in for- estry here since 1969 and has seen the ebb and flow of timber harvesting.
“I never thought I would see it in my lifetime, two mills coming in here around the same time,” McMichael said. “You don’t ever give up hope. We must have competition to drive these stumpage prices up. It’s a great thing, this news. It’s been rough.”
McMichael said there was huge dis- appointment in 2015 when a plan was scrapped for a power plant that would use wood for fuel. EPA regulations scut- tled the project, he said. It’s why reaction here has alternated between euphoria and caution. Is something else going to come along and pull the rug out with the proposed new mills?
The Optimist Club refuses to believe it. They are sharpening their saws.
RAY GLIER IS A JOURNALIST WITH
42 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TELLING STORIES IN SPORTS AND BUSINESS. HE HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER IN THE ATLANTA AREA WORKING FOR USA TODAY, THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE BOSTON GLOBE, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE ATLANTA JOURNAL- CONSTITUTION, YOUTH TODAY AND MANY OTHERS.
ONLINE. ANYTIME.
12 | GEORGIA FORESTRY
