OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant, along with more than 10 republican members, went to Southeastern Oklahoma to visit Herron Industries and the International Paper Company this past weekend.
“For McCurtain County, the paper mill and forestry are the backbone of the economy,” Dempsey said. “As I showcased these businesses to my fellow members of the Legislature, I was able to help them better understand the key factors driving economic development in the Southeastern part of the state.”
Herron Industries has operated since 1944 and is the largest private tree grower in the region, where logging is the economic lifeblood. The farm is merely part of McCurtain County’s more significant logging industry, including independent loggers, truck drivers, mechanics and mill workers.
The members also visited International Paper Company, which owns and operates more than a dozen large paper mills in the United States, including Valliant Paper Mill. The Valliant plant makes containerboard and industrial packaging.
Dempsey said during his visit, the members saw firsthand the critical role that International Paper Company and Herron Industries play in Southeastern Oklahoma’s economy, and he believes that we must continue to advocate for policies that encourage growth in those vital industries.
Rep. Eddy Dempsey and House Republican members visit International Paper Company.