WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — A potential Wisconsin buyer could come forward for the Verso Paper Mill in Wisconsin Rapids.
Rhinelander-based Great Lakes Timber Professionals is working on a plan that could save hundreds of jobs at the Verso Paper Mill. Verso announced in June it was halting production at the mill on July 31st. With the announcement of the shutdown, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser says the group has started working on the plan.
“Now that Verso had announced they’re idling it kind of pushed up their timetable. So what they’re looking at doing is the Timber Professionals are looking to get together a co-op and potentially, hopefully, down the road make an offer to purchase the mill.”
The co-op is in its early stages and currently includes Great Lakes Timber Professionals, the City of Wisconsin Rapids, and union workers. Blaser says he doesn’t know yet what the city’s contribution will be to the co-op but that they’ll do whatever they can to help. “Obviously us, the City of Wisconsin Rapids and the state of Wisconsin will be working with them to help them put this together and support what they need and whatever we can do to assist them.”
While there is no current buyer for the mill, Verso is marketing the location for any potential buyers. Production at the paper mill ends on July 31st putting an estimated 900 people out of work. Mayor Blaser says the city is organizing job fairs for the effected workers in September. More information to help workers affected by the mill shut down can be found at RapidsTogether.com.
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