WODONGA'S Logic industrial estate is poised to be chosen as the site for a $25 million cross laminated timber factory.
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The company behind the project, which will create 54 jobs, has confirmed an announcement on the project will be made within 48 hours.
XLam announced in late May it would be building a timber processing facility in either Albury or Wodonga with the aim of being operational by June next year.
Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie confirmed on Tuesday the council had approved a planning application for the XLam facility at the Logic industrial hub.
But not on council-owned land at Logic.
"Everything is looking very promising," Cr Speedie said.
"But we just await XLam coming out and announcing its intentions.
"It's our understanding they have got some more work, and due diligence to do, but we are delighted to potentially have a new manufacturing facility and new tenant down at Logic."
We are delighted to potentially have a new manufacturing facility and new tenant down at Logic
- Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie
XLam Australia business development manager Rob De Bincrat wouldn't confirm or deny the company had settled on a site in Victoria when contacted on Tuesday.
The Border Mail understands a leading Albury-Wodonga construction firm would build the XLam mill.
When completed the company will create 30 direct roles in manufacturing and service-linked roles with a further 24 indirect jobs within areas like distribution and services.
The factory will be 12,600 square metres in size.
Mr De Bincrat said previously the Border stood out as a competitive destination for investment.
"We did a lot of feasibility on a lot of different locations and Albury-Wodonga stacked up significantly compared to others," he said.
"The reason for that is location to the Hume Highway and also the ability to source skilled labour for the 54 direct and indirect jobs we'll require to bring this development to fruition."
Timber for the factory will be sourced from the Tumbarumba area.
XLam's expected presence at Logic will continue some recent momentum for Wodonga Council's major investment.
SCT Logistics has commenced construction of a $22 million rail terminal at the North Barnawartha site.
The Victorian Government financially contributed to the rail terminal at Logic and more recently assisted the expansion of the Mars Petcare facility in Wodonga which safeguards 500 plus jobs.
A spokesperson for Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford declined to comment on any government involvement with the XLam project at Logic.
