Lewisburg, PA – The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Business Finance Program recently assisted Northeast Softwoods LLC with a SEDA-COG EDA COVID loan to acquire the former Kuhn’s Lumber property, including its sawmill and kiln drying equipment. The facility is located at 203 Kuhns Lane in Lewisburg.
Northeast Softwoods LLC, owned by entrepreneurial couple Jere and Sasha McCarthy, is a new venture for the McCarthys. They also own Pennsylvania Sawmill Company, located in Spring Mills, PA, which has supplied custom timber accent material to builders throughout the mid-Atlantic region for the last decade.
“The new Northeast Softwoods sawmill facility has helped solidify our supply chain and has allowed us to expand into new markets,” said Sasha McCarthy. “We appreciate SEDA-COG’s assistance, which has allowed us to take advantage of this growth opportunity and continue to utilize the robust resources of central Pennsylvania.”
Brooks Luzier, SEDA-COG Business Finance relationship manager, partnered with Donald E. Rhodes III, senior vice president of First National Bank in Hollidaysburg, to secure the financing package for the purchase.
“We were proud to partner with First National Bank to help Northeast Softwoods, LLC expand their business into Union County,” Luzier said. “Jere and Sasha have a thriving timber business in Centre County, and we wish them the best of luck at their Lewisburg location.”
Rhodes echoed those sentiments. “It was a pleasure assisting long time clients Jere and Sasha McCarthy with the growth and expansion of their successful business,” he said. “First National Bank has a rich history of growing with their business customers, and this is a true testament to that. Partnering with Brooks and SEDA-COG provided flexible lending options to accent bank financing, resulting in a positive client experience. We wish Jere and Sasha all the best!”
The couple leased the equipment beginning in 2021 and used the loans from First National Bank and SEDA-COG to purchase it outright. This marks a significant milestone for Northeast Softwoods, allowing Jere and Sasha McCarthy to expand their venture.
Northeast Softwoods, LLC specializes in supplying high-quality Eastern White Pine and Eastern Hemlock for log home manufacturers, builders, and retailers. In addition, they offer lumber sales, custom sawing, and kiln-drying services to local customers in Union County and beyond.
For more information about Northeast Softwoods, visit www.nesoftwoods.com or email info@NESoftwoods.com.
For more information about SEDA-COG’s loans and financing options, contact John Reichard at jreichard@seda-cog.org or Brooks Luzier at bluzier@seda-cog.org.