PARK FALLS, WI (WSAU-WXPR) – On days the paper mill is operating, a century-old steam whistle sounds at noon over Park Falls. Its been silent for most of the past year as the mill went through layoffs, a closure, and bankruptcy.
But the whistle sounded again on Wednesday, and it will sound into the future as the mill begins to come to life again.
On Wednesday, the city celebrated a new mill owner – Park Falls Industrial Management – and the reopening of the mill under a new name – Park Falls Pulp and Paper. Park Falls Mayor Michael Bablick said, “The lights are on, paper will be starting to be made. It’s good to smell the sulphur again in the air. People wake up and smell the flowers. Well, our flowers are sulphur.”
Bablick estimates he’s spent 80 percent of his hours as mayor trying to negotiate a future for the mill.
He’s excited about the new ownership group, which is headed by a New Jersey man named Yong Liu. “Thank you, everybody, for gathering together today to celebrate the opening for this old and new paper mill,” Liu said at a ribbon-cutting on Wednesday. “After a year of rest, the mill is back.”
A $1 million loan from the city helped the mill reopen.
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