MATHISTON — Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley joined Atmos Energy, local elected officials and representatives of Brown Wood Preserving to cut the ribbon on a new kiln at Brown Wood Preserving Co. on July 8.
Presley, Atmos Energy and Brown Wood worked together to extend gas lines to get the Brown Wood facility the needed natural gas to power the kiln, which is used in their tree drying process.
Brown Wood Preserving is located at 266 Crossroads Church Road, Mathiston, in Choctaw County.
This cost for extending the line from existing Atmos Gas lines to Brown Wood cost approximately $74,000. The overall investment from Brown Wood to build the new kiln was approximately $1.8 million.
“It is always a great day when the public and private sectors work together and have a positive result for everyone involved,” said Presley. “Partnerships like these are one of the best ways we can work together to improve the lives of our citizens, by creating and keeping industry right here in Mississippi.”
Atmos Energy used Mississippi contractors to complete the gas work on this project, Taylor Construction Co. of Laurel and Moody Construction Co. of Louisville, to complete the project well ahead of Brown’s startup schedule.
Under the Hire Mississippi Rule, which was authored by Presley, the Public Service Commission encourages the use of local contractors for in-state construction projects by the state’s major utility companies.
“Keeping dollars spent by Mississippians on projects in our communities across our state just makes sense,” said Presley. “I am proud Atmos chose to utilize Mississippi companies on this project and hope this serves as inspiration to other Mississippi contractors to show they also have a shot at projects like this one.”
