Reduced Black Hill National Forest Timber Sales Lead Nieman Enterprises to Cut Production and Headcount at Its Spearfish, SD, Sawmill

Nieman Enterprises, the Black Hills’ largest sawmill, has announced plans to reduce production and the headcount at Spearfish Forest Products, its sawmill in Spearfish, South Dakota, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported (4-11-24).

Nieman says it is laying off 50 employees, approximately a quarter of the facility’s team. Nieman says the cuts are a “direct result of reduction to the Black Hills National Forest timber sale program.”

According to South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Jim Neiman, president of Neiman Enterprises, said, “We have done everything possible to prevent this unfortunate outcome that will impact these employees, our community and ultimately the health of the forest.”

Neiman has said for years that the reduced timber sales could lead to the closure of another facility. Neiman closed its Hill City sawmill in 2021.

Black Hills timber sales have dropped significantly since 2018. Large wildfires in the early 2000s, the mountain pine beetle epidemic, and the resulting aggressive timber harvesting has led to a reduction in available sawtimber.