OLD TOWN (AP) – An official from Montreal-based Cascades Inc. has acknowledged that company representatives visited Old Town earlier this week for a meeting regarding the Georgia-Pacific Corp. mill, according to the Bangor Daily News.

Believed to be the front-runner for purchasing the Old Town facility, Cascades produces packaging products, tissue papers and specialty papers composed mainly of recycled fibers.

Hubert Bolduc, Cascades vice president of communications and public affairs, said Friday from his Montreal office that he could not confirm the company’s interest in buying the mill but that it has some “interesting assets,” the News reported.

The mill closed March 16 and Georgia-Pacific agreed to work with the state for 60 days to find a buyer. The deadline passed more than a month ago.

State officials said Friday negotiations are ongoing.

Gov. John Baldacci, hoping to assist the approximately 475 workers who were laid off when the mill closed, requested on June 23 that the U.S. Department of Labor issue more than $755,000 in National Emergency Grant funding.

“While we are putting things together for the redevelopment (of the mill), there are people who are looking for different kinds of opportunities for the future,” Baldacci said Friday, noting that not all laid-off workers will want to return to the facility if it reopens. “I think it offers people a wide array of opportunities.”

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins issued a joint press release Thursday, stating they had sent a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao urging her to approve the request.

Workers are eligible for assistance under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act. The federal grant money would supplement that aid.

“It covers related costs like books and support services (and) child care that aren’t covered by the Trade Act funding,” Baldacci spokesman Dan Cashman said Friday.

A daylong meeting earlier this week was held in Old Town, according to the News.

“It was very positive by all accounts, and it’s progressing very well,” Baldacci said.

GP announced on March 15 that the mill would close unless a buyer came forward. Four wood chip mills in Costigan, Milo, Portage and Houlton that supplied the mill also were closed.