The Wilson family timber operation, including two logging companies, a lumber company, an equipment company, and a forestry management company, employs more than 100 people in Cleveland County.
The coronavirus and a rainy spring have slowed production.
“Our business has slowed down quite a bit the last few months because of weather and the markets,” said Harrell Wilson, who operates the businesses started by his father, Frank. “We’ve seen a decrease in demand and decrease in price,” he said.
“A lot of the facilities that we deliver our hardwood lumber to, their demand has dropped off. Orders for lumber have decreased,” Wilson explained. Likewise, on the logging side, the paper mills and pulpwood mills have slowed production, so demand for timber is down.
Congressman Bruce Westerman’s office connected the family with Aimee Weaver of the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.
Weaver advised Harrell about the Paycheck Protection Program and the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. She helped him prepare the documentation required to apply and explained the differences in the programs, which are both meant to assist small businesses disrupted by COVID-19.
Working with Relyance Bank, the Wilsons secured $1.1 million in PPP funding for five businesses: Wilson Brothers Lumber, A&W Logging, Tri-W Logging, River Ridge Equipment, and Arkansas Forestry Management.
The EIDL applications are still in process.
The companies provide 115 jobs in Rison and the surrounding area.
Wilson said the only employees he’s lost are ones who left voluntarily. “We are able to keep all our employees working,” he said.
He appreciated Weaver’s guidance and recommendations. “The information available and assistance in finding resources we can use, it’s just been a great benefit. Being able to navigate through the process has really helped us,” said Wilson.
Harrell and his parents all graduated from UAM, he’s a member of the UAM foundation board, and his wife received her master’s degree from the university, but this was his first experience with the UAM ASBTDC office.
“The resource there is great to give you some guidance and advice to find the financing you need to keep your business going, expand your business, or anything you might need,” he said.