The new owner of the Wausau Paper mill in Groveton says he wants to work with the community and has no plans to tear down the building.
William Firestone, president of the Capital Recovery Group in Connecticut, bought the closed paper mill in late August.
NHPR Correspondent Chris Jensen spoke to Firestone and files this report.
SOUND OF MACHINERY
That was the sound of the Wausau paper mill in Groveton before it shut down last December.
William Firestone, never heard that sound.
When he toured the plant it was quiet.
Shut down.
About 300 jobs gone.
But he says when he went through the huge facility he was impressed with what he saw.
“The building which I saw was in excellent condition. It had great potential. It had all the features a good building would have and I was extremely optimistic something could be done with the building.”
Late in August he formed a New Hampshire corporation, Groveton Acquisitions. Days later it bought the property.
The price has not been disclosed. However, a Wausau official has said it was far above the $100,000 quoted in the first newspaper reports.
Firestone said the sales agreement prevents him from making paper in the facility and he plans to sell the paper machines overseas.
What about the building itself?
“What I visualize is that plant being utilized, being again being again the centerpiece of that community with jobs that are there. It will be repositioned in different industries I am sure. It could be even be utilized where many different industries are inside.”
He said he is not interested in an industry that might cause problems for Groveton.
He says he also wants to keep the plant standing.
“In no way, shape or form do we ever want to see that building be torn down or are we going to leave it in a condition that it is going to be unsafe is not our intent. It is nothing to do with that. We feel it is a great asset.”
Firestone said he is encouraged by the North Country’s dedicated work force, the nearness of the timber industry and state officials who are extremely eager to help.
“I don’t want to make any kind of false hope to anybody up there that there will be jobs up there tomorrow. But we are willing to work with any proposal that comes down the pike that would make business sense, that would enhance the value of that asset.”
Firestone said the company is already working on selling the equipment. An auction, at the plant, is being considered for November.
For NHPR News this is Chris Jensen
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