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Another Columbia Falls Mill to Restart After Layoff

By Beacon Staff

Another Columbia Falls lumber mill plans to resume operations after a layoff.

Officials with F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. plan to restart its sawmill next Monday, after a seven-week shutdown.

Vice president and general manager Chuck Roady says the restart has nothing to do with a stronger lumber market.

He says the mill is trying to optimize the value of its log inventory, 90 percent of which comes from fire salvage sales. He says the company would rather carry its inventory in lumber rather than logs.

When the mill gets to full production, 60 to 70 people will be back to work.

On Monday, Plum Creek Timber Co. restarted its sawmill in Columbia Falls, putting 130 people back to work.