Precision Hardwoods production expected to increase by more than 8x.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2025

LANSING, Mich. – Precision Hardwoods Inc., a well-established name in the hardwood production industry, is undergoing a $13-million expansion with New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) support from Michigan Community Capital (MCC) and PNC Bank. Locally owned in rural Onaway, Michigan, Precision Hardwoods has over 30 years of experience in the forestry industry and specializes in producing high-quality, locally sourced wood products.

With shutdowns of multiple mills across the state over recent years, the company is looking to fill the void and address the increasing need for both softwood and hardwood material. $10 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation from Michigan Community Capital will be used for the purchase of new advanced equipment, which is expected to increase the company’s production capacity from about 25,000 to approximately 220,000 board feet daily.

In 2024, Precision Hardwoods constructed a new 45,000-square-foot building to house the sawmill equipment purchased with the equity generated from the NMTC allocation including a HewSaw sawline, a debarker, a Carobotech Log system, Pendu Autostacker, and a Pendu CutStock Line. By increasing industrial and grade-lumber to roughly 30 million board feet annually, Precision Hardwoods hopes to provide lumber to 25-30 different companies in 5 different states.

“Being awarded the NMTC is a recognition of Precision Hardwood’s commitment to growth, sustainability, and our community.  With this opportunity, we will not only invest in the future of the lumber industry, but also our local community by creating and retaining meaningful employment opportunities that empower individuals and strengthen our economy,” said owner of Precision Hardwoods, Mike Sturgill on behalf of the Precision Hardwoods team. “Together, we are building a foundation for progress-one that supports both industry and the people who drive it forward! Thank you for the opportunity!”

The project is set to retain 7 jobs and create approximately 20 new positions in a NMTC-qualified census tract with a poverty rate of 17.8%. All jobs will be accessible without a four-year degree, and the company will provide specialized training to all employees to help them develop relevant skills. Precision Hardwoods will prioritize local hiring, partnering with Michigan Works! to recruit and hire from the surrounding populations.

Michigan Community Capital contributed $10 million in NMTC allocation to support the expansion.

“Supporting entrepreneurs who are close to their community and also integral to the global supply chain is how we will make Michigan a top 10 state for growth,” said Eric Hanna, president & CEO at Michigan Community Capital. “This is what the New Market Tax Credit program and our work at MCC is all about.”  

PNC Bank is providing $3.2 million in NMTC allocation in the deal and will serve as the NMTC investor.

Precision Hardwoods was awarded 2 grants in 2024: one from the Food and Agriculture Investment Program Grant by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture & Rural Development, and another from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Michigan Business Development Program.

Michigan Community Capital 

Michigan Community Capital is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists to promote community and economic development, the creation of wealth and job opportunities; and to facilitate investment of private and public capital in Michigan. MCC is focused on driving economic mobility of low- and moderate-income Michigan residents and drives community development impacts in three key areas: Real Estate Development, CDFI lending, and New Markets Tax Credits. MCC is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Community Development Entity (CDE). Since 2005, MCC has supported over $1.4 billion in project financing, successfully attracted $510 million in federal New Markets Tax Credits, and helped to create over 1,500 housing units and facilitated the creation and/or retention of over 5,000 high-quality, accessible jobs. michigancommunitycapital.org

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