Construction has begun on the new $220 million Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Mill near Meadow Lake.

Premier Lorne Calvert today attended a ground-breaking ceremony to officially mark the start of construction at the plant site 29 km southeast of Meadow Lake. Tolko Industries will own 75 per cent of the mill, and will operate the plant. Crown Investments Corporation, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Northwest Communities Wood Products are the other partners in this joint venture.

"Today we celebrate an exciting new forest initiative that will bring additional economic prosperity and jobs to Meadow Lake and northwest Saskatchewan," Calvert said. "This OSB plant is the latest milestone in the diversification and expansion of our dynamic forest industry."

When completed, the world-scale mill will employ 130 people, with an additional 130 jobs in associated woodlands operations like harvesting, trucking and silviculture. There will be another 200 person-years of employment during construction.

Favourable economic conditions combined with a surplus of sustainable wood supply have created an opportunity for expanding OSB production in Saskatchewan.

The forest industry has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years, particularly in value-added manufacturing. More than $900 million has been committed to new and expanded facilities, creating almost 7,000 direct and indirect jobs.

For more information, contact:

Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691