KyKenKee Inc., a producer of hardwoods, Southern Yellow Pine, dimensional lumber and greenscape products located in Vance, AL recently announced it would invest $28.2 million to expand operations. Executives anticipate the expansion will result in more than 70 new employment positions at the family-owned lumber company, which currently employs over 600 people.

Previously known as I.L. Burt and Sons, the company was founded more than 100 years ago and changed names in 1980 to reflect the dedication of the brothers who now run the business, Kyle, Kendall and Keefe Burt.

As part of the capital investment, a tax abatement package was approved by the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority which will make KyKenKee eligible for tax abatements of $1.36 million over the project’s first 10 years. The TCIDA estimates that over those 10 years, the project will provide in excess of $650,000 in tax revenue to non-abated education taxes along with nearly $14 million in taxes over the first 20 years.

Jo Bonner, interim executive director at TCIDA, said the investment would make it possible for KyKenKee to manufacture new wood products and goods and enter new lines of business while providing the community with good paying employment opportunities.

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