Officials with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) have recently announced a lease agreement on property owned by the state agency in Escambia County with PRT USA Inc. (PRT), the U.S. subsidiary of a Canadian company that produces container-grown forest seedlings. The two entities signed a long-term lease which includes land, buildings, and infrastructure suitable to establish a nursery for containerized forest seedling production at the former E.A. Hauss Nursery site located in Atmore.

PRT will immediately commence construction of container growing facilities on the site, which it intends to expand over time in response to customer needs. PRT’s forest seedling product offering will include longleaf, slash, and loblolly pine, along with other species. Construction is anticipated to be completed in early 2017, with sowing of seedlings to occur in the spring for shipping to customers during the 2017/18 planting season.

“We consider it our good fortune that this international corporation was interested in establishing a presence in Alabama,” remarked interim State Forester Gary Cole. “Having remained vacant for several years, this AFC nursery property was available, and we’re pleased that PRT realized its potential. In addition to being a much-needed seedling source for forest landowners in southwest Alabama, this operation will also provide jobs for the area. The lease is a win-win situation for all involved.”