COUSHATTA, La. — C&C Forest Products is moving forward with plans to rebuild its Coushatta sawmill after a 2025 fire, announcing a more than $21 million investment that will transform the facility into a more efficient specialty lumber and timber operation.

According to Louisiana Economic Development (LED), the project will create 77 direct new jobs with an average annual salary of $65,260 — about 34% higher than the average wage in Red River Parish. The company will also retain 27 existing positions. LED estimates the expansion could generate an additional 256 indirect jobs, creating a potential total of 333 new and supported jobs across the Northwest Louisiana region.

The rebuilt facility, located at 306 Wilkinson St. in Coushatta, will feature updated equipment and a redesigned site layout aimed at improving production efficiency and competitiveness. Once completed, the sawmill will specialize in producing lumber and timber products and will have the capacity to produce up to 90 million board feet annually.

C&C Forest Products, which operates sawmills in Louisiana and Arkansas, expects construction to begin during the first half of 2026. The company anticipates the rebuilt facility will begin sales in the first quarter of 2027.

Louisiana Economic Development worked with the company to secure the project in Coushatta through a package of incentives, including workforce development support from LED FastStart and a $1 million performance-based grant for utility and infrastructure improvements.

The company is also expected to participate in Louisiana’s Quality Jobs Program and Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

The investment represents a significant step in restoring the sawmill’s operations while positioning the facility for future growth in regional and national timber markets.

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