Snowe, Collins Respond to Impending Katahdin Mill Closure

Press Release

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today released the following statement regarding the announcement that the Katahdin Paper Company Mill in Millinocket, originally scheduled to be shutdown on July 28th, will be closing its doors on or around September 2nd:

"For the 208 workers who face the threat of layoffs and their communities, the news of the impending closure is deeply troubling and distressing. We pledge to rally around these displaced employees and continue to work hand-in-glove with Katahdin Paper Company and Governor Baldacci to ensure that support and assistance is in place first and foremost to preserve these vital jobs, or help the workers transition to new employment."

Since the company announced the closure of the mill, Senators Snowe and Collins have worked with Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Fraser CEO Peter Gordon, Mill Manager Serge Sorokin, Governor John Baldacci, Town Manager Gene Conlogue and federal funding partners as well as visited the mill to meet with mill, union and town officials to discuss alternative options for keeping the mill open, and to ensure that the mill's 208 workers have access to every available resource in the wake of a mill closure.

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