The following is an excerpt from “The Story of Stone County Industrial Board” written by Brax H. Batson (July, 2009):
The Stone County Industrial Board
The Stone County Industrial Board, which had a brief life of about 12 years from 1957 to 1969, but had a profound effect on the Wiggins and Stone county we know today. It is a story of what can be done with good leadership and a group of civic-minded citizens, working as a team for the greater good.
The Board composed of ordinary business and professional men of the community, all volunteers, at times using their own money, facilitated the following projects between 1957-69:
Wiggins Lumber Co. — employing 70 persons at the plant
Neely Lumber Co. — employing 30 persons at the plant
Brown – Miller Pickle plant expansion — saving 200 jobs for 30 years
Southern Paper Co. –employing 180 persons (changed to Coastal Paper)
Kuttnauer Enterprises, a sewing plant – employing 30 – 50 persons
International Plywood Mill (Now Hood Industries)
International Wood Treating Plant
Wiggins- Stone Airport
Flint Creek Water Park
New Post Office Building
The Old Firehouse Museum 