Boise Cascade’s expansion in Chester County started with simple request

A conversation on extending a natural gas line at a Chester manufacturing plant has turned into a $23.5 million expansion and 52 new jobs.

Boise Cascade officials wanted to use natural gas on the No. 1 plywood dryer at the former Chester Wood Products plant, making it more efficient and faster.

As Mike Enoch, general manager of the Chester County Natural Gas Authority, talked with Boise Cascade officials he kept encouraging them to meet with Karlisa Parker, the county’s economic developer.

“I just kept pushing,” Enoch said Wednesday. “When they came back with a number of other changes, I said you need to talk with Karlisa Parker.”

Enoch is one of the utility representatives Parker consults with on economic development possibilities. Enoch is also a member of the Chester Development Association, which assists Parker. Enoch knew that Boise Cascades’ plans could qualify for state and local assistance.

As a result of the talk, Boise Cascade’s property taxes will be reduced. The company qualified for a state grant to offset some of the project’s costs.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $100,000 rural infrastructure grant to Chester County to help Boise Cascade with roads and utility improvements.

The Chester County Council is considering an agreement that would reduce the company’s property taxes, fixing the assessment at 6 percent, as well as a special source revenue credit which would further reduce the property tax by 25 percent for the next five years.

Boise Cascade acquired Chester Wood Products on S.C. 9 (Lancaster Highway) in 2013, the company’s first South Carolina operations. New equipment has been installed and the warehouse expanded.

Hiring for the new positions began in the third quarter of 2015, and will continue through the first quarter of 2016. For employment information go to www.bc.com.

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Boise Cascade’s expansion in Chester County started with simple request."