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Royal Martin/Corrigan OSB touts jobs and rising tax revenue after abatement
Summary
Sherry Hughes and Scott Townsend told the Polk County commissioners that Royal Martin’s Corrigan OSB operations employ about 320 people (about 32% local) and have contributed roughly $2 million in combined property and sales tax over five years; presenters gave post‑abatement property tax projections into 2034.
Sherry Hughes, introduced as HR director at Corgan OSB, and Scott Townsend, director of OSB manufacturing for Royal Martin, presented the company’s local economic footprint to the Polk County Commissioner’s Court on Jan. 27, 2026.
The presenters said the Corrigan 1 line will have been in production eight years this April and Corrigan 2 will reach two years in June. Hughes told the court the site is the largest single‑site producer of oriented strand board (OSB) in North America and employs about 320 workers, about 32% of whom reside in Polk County. “If you’re around Roy for any time period, he will tell you that we grow trees and we grow people,” Hughes said.
Court staff provided county revenue figures connected to tax abatement arrangements. The judge noted prior to the abatement the county’s property tax revenue from the site was “a little over $2,000,” rising to about $108,000 currently; presenters and staff showed projections of roughly $1,000,000 by 2027 and nearly $2,000,000 by 2034. Hughes said that since 2021 the operation has contributed “a little over $2,000,000” in combined property and sales tax.
Commissioners asked about employment and capacity; Townsend said the site is slightly over 90% staffed and that the company was still hiring. Commissioners praised the company’s community partnerships with local schools, volunteer fire departments and nonprofits.
The presenters handed the court a packet with supplemental figures and asked to answer questions as plans develop. No formal action was required of the court on this presentation.
