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Timeline: Berlin Pulp Mill1999March 25: New York-based American Tissue Corp. agrees to buy the mills in Berlin and Gorham for $45 million. The previous owners, Crown Vantage, Inc. of Oakland, California, had bought the mills in 1995 from James River Corp, which had operated the mills since 1980. July 9: American Tissue formally buys the mills from Crown Vantage. 2001April 5: Berlin puts a lien on the mill after Pulp and Paper of America, a subsidiary of American Tissue, informs the city it will pay its tax bill through weekly payments rather than a payment every six months. May 21: PPA sends two tax payment checks to Berlin officials; one of the checks is returned for insufficient funds. May 29: PPA reportedly stops paying its suppliers, fueling further speculation about the mills' future. NHPR News: What's Happening Up At The Mill? June: Several banks refuse to cash paychecks issued by American Tissue, prompting an investigation by the state Department of Labor. The company is also reported to have missed a number of its weekly tax payments to Berlin. July 26: Coos County commissioners freeze the county budget due to the lack of tax monies from American Tissue. NHPR News: No News Is Bad News From Berlin's Troubled Mill August 6: American Tissue announces it will shut down the Berlin mill for two weeks as a cost-cutting measure. The company repeatedly delays the reopening, fueling fears that the mill may shut down for good. NHPR News: Paper Mills in Berlin and Gorham Still Shut Down September 10: American Tissue Inc. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. NHPR News: Mills' Parent Company Goes Bust October 2: State officials express concern that a long-term shutdown could cause mill equipment to leak chemicals or fuels into nearby water sources. October 18: American Tissue announces it will permanently reopen the Berlin and Gorham mills, and that workers at the two mills will be laid off. However, about 30 employees return to work to "winterize" the mill and keep its equipment viable. NHPR News: Mills Close For Good October 27: A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge appoints a trustee to run the mills in place of American Tissue executives, allowing companies to make offers to buy the mills. 2002January: Several potential buyers emerge, including Quebec-based Cascades Inc., Keating Fibre of Pennsylvania and Connecticut-based Fraser Papers. April 13: Fraser Papers makes a formal offer to buy the mills. NHPR News: Good News For Berlin- The Mills Have A Buyer May 3: Fraser's bid of $31.5 million is accepted. NHPR News: Buyer Bids for Idle Pulp and Paper Mills 2003September 21: Fraser Papers advertises for about thirty additional workers, while the North Country Workers Assistance Center, which was set up following the 2002 mill closing, shuts down. The events are seen as signs of a major turnaround for the Berlin mills. 2006March 7: Citing high energy and supply costs, Fraser Papers announces it will permanently close the Berlin pulp mill in early May. NHPR News: Berlin Pulp Mill To Close Permanently May 6: After decades of operation, the mill shuts down, leaving Berlin's future uncertain. 2007September 15: A planned demolition destroys the mill's three smokestacks, bringing a symbolic ending to Berlin’s reputation as an industrial city. |
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