Sen. Tommy Tuberville vists Dothan SmartLam North America facility

DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Sen. Tommy Tuberville stopped at the SmartLam North America lumber plant Wednesday, where he toured the facility's newest expansion and discussed the importance of the state's forestry industry.

Tuberville's Dothan stop comes as the senator toured various places in the state alongside the Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Forestry Commission.

"Well, the last two days, we've been traveling the state, where we have 23 million acres of forestry. It's a big part of our economy....It's a huge part of our GDP and we want to make it better," he said.

Smartlam will now have two dedicated facilities on site for glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber, which could increase productivity by a factor of 10.

For CEO Derek Ratchfield, he says that impact could touch every facet of society.

"It affects everybody's lives, and most people live in a house that has wood in it, and they see wood all the time. And with mass timber, you can see it, you can touch it."

Tuberville's visit comes as southern pine beetles devastated parts of the state's timber yield this summer. He says working together with landowners will be a continuing priority.

"It's an ongoing process, it's kind of like the boll weevil and cotton. You're never going to eradicate it, but you're going to have to try to keep it to a point where you can watch it, and, if pine beetles get into your trees, then you need to harvest it pretty quick, or you'll lose it."

Regardless, Ratchfield expresses his thanks and says he looks forward to continuing to work alongside the state's congressional delegation.

"Senator Tuberville and his staff, very supportive. Senator Katie Britt is very supportive. They want to ensure that the state and federal governments are supporting the future growth of mass timber. He's been very supportive of everything Smartlam has done which really helps promote the industry."

The latest expansion will be fully complete by year's end.