Expansion is around the bend for one Roan Mountain business.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Bob Rolfe and New River Hardwoods, Inc. officials announced Thursday that the lumber company will invest $3.8 million at its location in Carter County, which is anticipated to create roughly 25 new manufacturing and production jobs.

With the investment, the company will install new equipment and convert the Roan Mountain log yard into a lumber manufacturing facility. Production at the site is expected to take place this spring.

“I’d like to thank New River Hardwoods for investing in Roan Mountain and creating job opportunities in Northeast Tennessee,” Rolfe said in a release to the Elizabethton Star. “It’s always an encouraging sign when an existing business chooses to expand in Tennessee. New River Hardwoods’ $3.8 million investment is terrific news and I look forward to the positive impact these 25 new jobs will have on Carter County’s residents.”

Carter County Mayor Leon Humphrey said the expansion is part of a planning process that included County Road Superintendent Roger Colbaugh, County Commission and the county’s economic development office.

“This has been in the planning phases. Roger Colbaugh, the County Commission and the mayor’s office worked with the company to ensure this could take place. We were able to relocate a roadway for the business to allow safe operation at the plant,” Humphrey said. “This is an opportunity to provide more jobs to the Roan Mountain community and for the county. We’re looking forward to continuing this long-standing partnership with the business for the years to come.”

New River Hardwoods echoed the mayor’s sentiments.

“New River Hardwoods appreciates all the support provided by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Carter County Mayor’s office and county commissioners,” Wayne Law, president of New River Hardwoods, said in a statement issued to the Elizabethton Star. “We look forward to starting production at the site this spring and are excited about providing positive economic opportunities in the Roan Mountain community.”

The West Virginia-based company operates in Tennessee, North Carolina and Virginia. In Tennessee, New River Hardwoods has locations in Mountain City, Cumberland Gap and Erwin.

Bolstering the resources in Roan Mountain will only help the economic impact across the county, according to Humphrey.

“Roan Mountain is one of Carter County’s crown jewels,” he said. “We’re going to continue working on putting the infrastructure in place in the area to attract more industries and opportunities. There are several great things going on, not just in Carter County. We have several things in the works and we’re just working to come to terms on different projects. Time is of the essence when it comes to economic development. We’re not looking to reinvent the wheel. We’re partnering with different groups that have had success to make an immediate impact in the county.”

Interested applicants looking to apply at the Roan Mountain location can visit www.newriverhardwoods.com/job-opportunities or apply in person at their 136 Miller Hollow Road location.