08/19/2026
Earlier today, I had the pleasure of attending the Noxubee Alliance meeting, chaired by Mrs. Kathrine Mickens. The highlight of the session was a comprehensive update from Mr. Eldon Padgett, Plant Manager for Huber Engineered Woods in Shuqualak, regarding the progress of their new manufacturing facility. As this project represents a significant investment in our region’s economy, Below are some of the updates he shared with us.
Safety and Environmental Stewardship:
Construction has been both productive and remarkably safe, reaching approximately 2.2 million man-hours with only four reported injuries and no lost-time incidents. Huber has made it clear that safety remains their top priority, with a steadfast commitment to ensuring no employee takes unnecessary risks.
Environmentally, the project is progressing smoothly. The facility is now transitioning from the construction permit phase to an operational permit. Throughout this process, Huber has demonstrated responsible stewardship by focusing on effective stormwater management, the protection of local waterways, and minimizing their environmental footprint.
Workforce Development and Hiring:
The facility is projected to employ approximately 160 people once fully operational. He shared that about three-quarters of this workforce is already on board, with hiring set to continue into next year as production scales up.
The company hosted a community job fair I attended last year, which saw an overwhelming response with over 600 attendees from across our region. This truly demonstrated strong local interest in these opportunities. New employees are receiving rigorous training at Huber’s sister plants in Georgia, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, ensuring they are well-prepared for their roles. The current team is a strong blend of experienced professionals and new candidates, including many who have come through local industrial-maintenance programs.
Timeline and Future Operations:
While the original spring start date was affected by unseasonably heavy rains, construction sequencing challenges, and skilled trade shortages, the project is moving forward with positive momentum. Huber is now targeting a commissioning start in mid-to-late October 2026. This initial phase will focus on testing equipment and fine-tuning processes to ensure a seamless ramp-up to full production.
At full capacity, this plant will be a significant industrial driver for our area, with the capacity to receive approximately 180 truckloads of wood per day and ship roughly 70 railcars of finished product per week. The decision to utilize rail access is a key strategic move that will allow Huber to expand into western markets effectively.
Community Engagement:
Huber remains committed to being a transparent partner in our community. Once operations are firmly established, the company plans to host a product demonstration event which will showcase the products their company produces.
In the meantime, I encourage residents to visit their booth at the upcoming Dancing Rabbit Festival in Downtown Macon. It is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested to learn more about the company and the positive impact they are bringing to Noxubee County.
We look forward to seeing this project come to fruition and the continued growth it brings to our region.
