Legend Lumber invests $3.5 million to renovate Kentucky lumber yard facility

WINCHESTER (Scrap Monster): Legend Lumber Lee Corp. plans to invest nearly $3.5 million towards renovation of a shuttered hardwood lumber concentration yard in Boston, Kentucky. The new investment is expected to create economic impact in Nelson County. In addition to creating nearly 30 permanent jobs in the region, the investment is also expected to contribute significantly to Kentucky’s overall export value.

According to Jie “Jack” Li, president of Legend Lumber, it has already bought the nearly 20-acre former SEEMAC Lumber facility on Sawmill Road in Boston. The company plans to install new equipment and expand the site. The site is expected to become fully operational by end-2017. Initially, Legend Lumber Lee Corp. plans to hire 20 employees during the course of the year. This includes 16 yard employees and 4 office staff. It also plans to hire 10-15 yard employees during 2017. The facility will bring in green lumber for kiln and air drying, sorting, grading and shipping. Legend Lumber plans to produce hardwood for export to Asian region, especially China, where demand for high-quality hardwoods continues to remain strong.

“Legend Lumber founder Jack Li saw demand for a product and took steps to find the best location to meet that demand,” Gov. Matt Bevin said through a press release. “I’m proud to say that process led him to Kentucky.” Nelson County Judge-Executive Dean Watts noted that Legend Lumber will be a great asset to Nelson County and that it will provide new jobs and a great investment for the community of Boston.

In order to bring the business to the region, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority had earlier approved tax incentives up to $600,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. Later, it had also approved up to $40,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA).