Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada 21 July 2015 -- J.D. Irving, Limited remains focused on modernizing the Doaktown White Pine Sawmill confirming that mill construction is forecasted for 2016.

"We are committed to investing in the most modern facility at Doaktown and appreciate the support of the community in undertaking this significant investment. Our current forecast is to begin construction in 2016," said Gaston Poitras, Vice President of Sawmills for J.D. Irving, Limited. "We experienced significant challenges with winter weather that delayed the Chipman modernization. The $37 million modernization saw over 50 NB contractors benefit from the purchase of goods and services and was completed in June. A 2016 start date for Doaktown construction will allow us to balance our resources for this year and next, as well as provide our engineering team the time needed to finalize and procure equipment to support construction of an efficient mill."

The $15 million investment at Doaktown is estimated to generate 78 direct construction jobs and a further 40 indirect construction jobs. When finished, the mill will realize a 10% increase in the yield from logs processed into Eastern white pine products. The project is also estimated to create a further 40* new jobs in the company's Woodlands operations that support the mill.

"I have met this week with company officials and while the modernization of the mill is delayed, I have confidence in JDI's commitment to begin construction in 2016. We will have the very best white pine mill around," said Mayor Bev Gaston. "JDI is the largest employer in the village and the jobs and economic activity that the company sustains in Doaktown is vital to our community."