RUMFORD – NewPage Corp. plans a $6.8 million expansion of its No. 15 paper machine.
Tony Lyons, spokesman for the mill, released the information Tuesday afternoon after a morning visit by Gov. John E. Baldacci.
The visit was part of a four-mill tour by the governor and the first time he’d visited the local mill since NewPage Corp. purchased it from MeadWestvaco in early May.
Lyons said the $6.8 million in improvements will boost the quality of paper produced on the machine and align the type of paper produced locally with the coated paper produced by a sister mill in Escanaba, Mich.
“The investment is a good sign,” said Lyons. “As soon as NewPage finalized the purchase of the mill, it made a manufacturing decision.”
He also said that about 30 people have been hired since January, mostly due to employees’ retiring or leaving.
In addition to visiting NewPage, Baldacci went to International Paper and Wausau Paper, both in Jay, and the Fraser mill in Gorham, N.H., to discuss a variety of issues, including his support for the paper industry.
“I’ve been very impressed with the steps taken, and everyone is concerned with improving efficiency,” said Baldacci by telephone Tuesday afternoon.
He was also pleased that NewPage Corp. retained the MeadWestvaco management and employees.
“I want the company and the employees to know that their jobs are important to the state,” he said in the morning before entering the mill. “It’s a model company, an integrated pulp and paper company. I want to reinforce that they are a shining example.”
The health of the river on which all four mills are located is also a special concern to the governor, he noted.
“There have been improvements in reducing phosphorus and adherence to the stakeholders agreement. I’m very pleased,” Baldacci said, adding that MeadWestvaco and now NewPage are sticking to an agreement that aims to reduce pollution in the river.
Baldacci was making the rounds of the mills with Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan.
The presidents of the unions representing workers at the plant did not have much advance warning of the governor’s visit, said Gary Hemingway, president of Local 900 of the United Steelworkers. Eddie Warren, president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers local, said his only interaction with the governor was shaking hands.
Hemingway was unable to attend the mill visit. “But I know he is interested in saving the paper companies along the river,” he said.
“We’re pleased that the governor was complimentary of our efforts to work with the Department of Environmental Protection,” said Lyons.
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