Great Northern Paper Co - Millinocket, Me

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In summary, this little town in Maine lost its paper mill due to the weak paper market, and now they are hoping that the new industry of paper making will help them out. The price of oil has been increasing, and this has caused the company that bought the mill to consider shutting it down.
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Ouabache
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turbo said:
June 6, 2008
The little towns of Millinocket and East Millinocket Maine are getting nailed again. A weak paper market forced the closure of their paper mills years back and the loss of 1100 jobs. Brascan bought the two mills in 2003 and have been running at far less than capacity with 208 workers at the Millinocket mill and 350 workers at the sister mill. The mills are 100% dependent on oil to produce steam with which to make paper and the price of oil has more than doubled in the past year. The East Millinocket mill will have to undergo curtailment (probably in both production and work force) and the Millinocket mill will be shut down completely. The #11 paper machine at that mill is fully booked, and should be running 24/7 but the company cannot afford the huge losses due the price of oil, so it appears the mill will be shut down entirely.

So I see Millinocket (Great Northern Paper) mill made national headlines recently, with the reopening of the East Millinocket plant. It was purchased by an outfit based in Portsmouth, NH. Perhaps a indicator of better days ahead. :smile:
 
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Excerpt above reference:
"Clouds that shrouded mighty Mount Katahdin on a still November morning gradually lifted above its mile-high summit as the day wore on, just as a pale of gloom is giving way to a glow of optimism in two Maine towns below.

Paper-making, for generations the lifeblood and soul of Millinocket and East Millinocket, is back, and a closely related new industry knocks on the door. And mill workers and those who draw a living from one of Maine’s traditional industries say they finally have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving."

For those who are geographically curious: Millinocket is in central Maine, 24mi SE of Katahdin and about the same latitude as Moncton, New Brunswick.
 
  • #3
I hope it works out for them. The price of oil has kicked everyone in the gut. The cost of paper has been rising for years.
 

1. What is the history of the Great Northern Paper Co in Millinocket, Maine?

The Great Northern Paper Co was founded in 1897 by industrialist Percival Baxter and paper magnate Hugh J. Chisholm. It was initially known as the Great Northern Paper Company of Maine and focused on producing newsprint. The company quickly grew and became the largest paper producer in Maine, with operations in Millinocket and East Millinocket. In the 1960s, Great Northern Paper Co expanded into producing specialty papers and established itself as a leading producer of coated paper and packaging products. However, due to declining demand for paper in the 21st century, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and eventually closed its operations in Millinocket in 2014.

2. What factors led to the decline and eventual closure of the Great Northern Paper Co in Millinocket?

The decline of the Great Northern Paper Co can be attributed to several factors. One of the main reasons was the shift towards digital media, which resulted in a decrease in demand for paper products. The company also faced competition from cheaper paper producers in other countries. Additionally, the rising costs of raw materials and energy, as well as environmental concerns, put a strain on the company's finances. These factors ultimately led to the closure of the Millinocket mill in 2014.

3. How did the closure of the Great Northern Paper Co impact the town of Millinocket?

The closure of the Great Northern Paper Co significantly impacted the town of Millinocket. The company was the largest employer in the town, and its closure resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs. This had a ripple effect on the local economy, as many businesses depended on the mill for their livelihood. The closure also led to a decrease in property values and an increase in poverty and crime rates in the town.

4. Is there any potential for the Great Northern Paper Co to reopen in Millinocket?

There have been efforts to revive the Great Northern Paper Co in Millinocket, but so far, none have been successful. In 2017, a group of investors attempted to purchase the mill and reopen it, but the deal fell through. In 2019, a different group of investors showed interest in purchasing the mill, but they have not made any significant progress. The town of Millinocket continues to explore other economic opportunities to replace the loss of the paper mill.

5. What is the current state of the Great Northern Paper Co site in Millinocket?

After the closure of the Great Northern Paper Co, the mill site was left abandoned for several years. However, in 2018, the site was purchased by the town of Millinocket, with plans to redevelop it for other industrial uses. As of 2021, the site is being cleaned up and prepared for future development. The town aims to attract new businesses to the site and revitalize the local economy through this redevelopment project.

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