Welcome to Vicksburg, Industrial Wood Products of Mississippi.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant traveled to Vicksburg Wednesday to announce the location of the wood manufacturing company to our community, which is expected to create 50 jobs and a corporate investment of more than $2 million.

That’s excellent news for Vicksburg and Warren County.

The company plans to locate several of its existing product lines here. The industrial division will include the ability to cut-to-length, resaw, rip, notch and grade wood to service pallet and crate manufacturers. Its paint line will be used for the company’s Rustic Collection product line. That line includes pre-stained shiplap boards sold in retail stores in the U.S.

Bryant said the Vicksburg facility will be the company’s first in Mississippi.

“We found in Vicksburg a set of unique location advantages that will be of great importance to our company as we continue to grow our market share and expand our business,” said Industrial Wood Products President Ryan Hilsinger.

Hilsinger said he worked closely with the Mississippi Development  Authority and the Warren County Port Commission, “and we found them to be agile and pro-business partners that were effective in helping us navigate the site selection process.”

The company has committed to filling the 50 jobs within the next four years.

We applaud the work of Pablo Diaz, who is leading the Warren County Port Commission, the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber and the Economic Development Foundation. We are proud the good news of all Vicksburg has to offer — a willing and trainable workforce, access to the river and major transportation and a business-friendly attitude — are being recognized by manufacturing leaders.

Because of Diaz’s guidance and the good support of city and county officials, today’s announcement is the first of many to come.

Good things are ahead for Vicksburg and Warren County.