WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The first meeting of the Wisconsin Rapids Together task force examining the future of the Verso Paper Mill is set for Wednesday morning at Mid-State Technical College.
State Senator Patrick Testin says it is the first of what will be many discussions about how to save a facility that’s survived two World Wars, a Great Depression, and numerous economic downturns.
“Many of the people that work at the Rapids mill are from the area. That’s why it is imperative that we do what we can to explore every option so these families can stay here, where they were born and raised,” said Testin on Tuesday.
Testin and State Representative Scott Krug, who is also on the task force, will also have a conference call with Governor Tony Evers about possible state incentives to keep the plant open. He compares that to the work that was done to keep the Kimberly-Clark plant in the Fox Valley going in 2018 when it was slated for closure.
“They came up with a new deal and were able to preserve over 400 jobs. In this instance, we are talking nearly 1,000 jobs. That’s more than twice the impact that K-C could have had.
“My hope is we can have those discussions and that there is an openness to use the tools and resources available [to find] a path forward,” he added.
He adds those incentives could be directed at either Verso or another company that may be willing to buy it such as nearby ND paper in Biron.
Should things fall apart completely, Testin and others are hopeful that the task force can make sure that the displaced employees find other jobs in the area.
Testin adds that in addition to the 900 or so direct jobs lost by the potential closure of the mill, hundreds more in the logging, manufacturing, and trucking businesses stand to be lost as well. He says that the ripple effect only adds to the urgency for the task force and its duties.
Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser and other stakeholders will also have a seat on the team. Wednesday’s meeting is scheduled to take place in the Mid-State auditorium. Those who wish to attend are asked to use the A entrance on the front side of the building. Face coverings will be required and all attendees are asked to bring their own. Those who wish to call into the meeting can do so at 559-671-2225. No PIN or passcode is required.
According to Verso the plant will idle by the end of July, with a few workers staying on payroll to help with maintenance in the event that the plant is sold or does come back online. In addition to closing the Wisconsin Rapids facility, Verso also announced they would idle a plant in Duluth, Minnesota by the end of June which impacts around 100 workers.
