It’s been almost a decade since the Groveton paper mill closed, putting about 300 people out of work. Efforts to replace even a few of those jobs have failed.
But now a Vermont company is looking to expand into the former mill site.
NSA Industries says it needs to expand its metal fabricating, machining and powder coating operation now based in St. Johnsbury, Vt.
And the industrial park owned by Bob Chapman of Milan looks good.
But before making a decision NSA needs to figure out whether it can find people to fill 40 manufacturing jobs, including machining and welding.
That was the purpose of a job fair Tuesday afternoon in Groveton, says Jim Moroney, NSA’s CEO.
“It is the cart before the horse, but one of the things we have to determine is that there a workforce there that would be suitable.”
In all just over 160 people showed up Tuesday, a turnout that clearly pleased NSA.
Job seeker Scott Rice of Lancaster said he was optimistic about Groveton making a comeback.
“It’s over a decade and nothing come about, so it’s nice to see something, starting to take a snowball effect, I hope.”
NSA officials are hoping to get more applicants on Thursday from 3 to 7 pm in Groveton next to the police station.
