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For Immediate Release
April 24, 2002

Sen. White: Titusville Selected as 2002 Site of National Lumber Grading School

Harrisburg – State Sen. Mary Jo White (R-21) today announced that Titusville has been selected as the 2002 site of the National Lumber Grading School.

Lumber grading is one of the most important jobs in hardwood mills, said White. Currently, Pennsylvanians interested in receiving lumber grade training have to travel to the National Hardwood Lumber Association headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.

White said the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council surveyed Pennsylvania mills and found that more than 300 employees would attend training at a satellite Pennsylvania site.

After considering several sites, the state Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Hardwoods Development Council chose the Harry T. Kerr Technology Center in Titusville.

“In choosing this site, the state and the council considered characteristics such as cost, quality of the grading areas, and the availability of lodging and food service,” said White.  “I am very pleased to report that Titusville was judged to be the best site for Pennsylvania’s only lumber grading school.”

White noted that trained lumber graders are vital to running successful mills, making decisions that impact the company’s return on investment and its reputation in the market place.

“Opening a training facility in Pennsylvania will attract qualified employees throughout the region, and draw increased interest to Pennsylvania’s timber and other natural resources,” said White.