LUFKIN, TX (KTRE) -
A tradition since 1984 brought East
Texas loggers and their families to the Forest Family Fun day and Equipment
Show, to see what the logging industry has to offer.
"See the new technology that's
being introduced in the market and compete in contests and its just a fun
day," said Ron Hufford, Executive VP Texas Forestry Association.
With nearly 12 million acres of forest land,
the forests of East Texas are major production source for the state's sixth
largest agricultural crop.
"Its tremendous throughout the
entire state, it contributes a total economic value of over 30 billion dollars
a year," said Hufford.
Officials say the logging industry brings
about 68 thousand jobs to East Texas.
"It creates logging jobs, mill
jobs, tire changers, equipment dealers, truck dealers, truck salesmen, repair
jobs, its just all related," said Charles Gee, Coordinator, Texas Logging
Council.
Charles Gee has worked in the logging
industry for 20 years and he says in East Texas, timber is still the largest
agricultural crop.
"Now there is oil and gas in some
areas and that's all well and good but the pine tree still contributes a lot to
the economy," said Gee.
From logging jobs to mill work each
position is vital in helping to stabilize the economy.
"If you take a look at one
logging operation, one 10 person crew, that probably gives 100 to 150 thousand
dollars a day to the local economy," said Hufford.
Every advancement in logging
technology helps increase the productivity of the industry as a whole.
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