NEW JERSEY—CitiLog is nearing completion of its urban sawmill located at 82-88 Springdale Avenue in Newark’s North Ward. The site, totaling four acres, had been abandoned and contaminated and when completed, the sawmill will be capable of sawing 15,000-18,000 board ft. of urban lumber per day.
In July 2011, Prudential Financial committed to an investment in CitiLog Enterprises L.L.C. with a seven-year term loan for up to $2.82 million plus an 18-month bridge loan for up to $1.67 million. Both loans were used to fund the facilities, machinery and equipment to build the new wood biomass processing facility.
“CitiLog will use our ‘waste’ by further up cycling the biomass by generating our own electricity, heating and eventually cooling – making our green company 100 percent self-sufficient and carbon neutral – all while saving precious landfill real estate,” said Stubby Warmbold, principal.
CitiLog’s production process takes fallen trees from towns and contractors in Passaic, Hudson and Essex Counties and turns them into lumber and industrial wood products for sale in the same areas. In addition, CitiLog Newark will be designing and producing hardwood commercial products including siding and indoor and outdoor furniture.
With support from N.J. Board of Public Utilities’ N.J. Clean Energy Program, the company is also seeking LEED Platinum certification by generating more electricity.
The company is working with the New Jersey State Parole Board and the City of Newark’s prisoner re-entry program to provide free training and job opportunities for formerly incarcerated residents who are trying to learn a trade and transition into the workforce as a productive citizen.
Currently, CitiLog has 13 employees at CitiLog Newark. When CitiLog is fully up and running, the company will employ approximately 35 to 40 people.