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Pulp mill restart

‘It’s good news’: Chamber of Commerce welcomes recent announcement for Prince Albert pulp mill

Sep 10, 2021 | 4:39 PM

The recent announcement of timber allocations for the restart of the Prince Albert pulp mill is being welcomed by the local chamber of commerce.

Earlier this week, the province announced timber allotments for Paper Excellence to help with the restart of the mill, which is scheduled for the fall of 2023.

The news came one day after another big announcement from the province, allocating timber for a new OSB plant for northern Saskatchewan.

Chair of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce, Tracy Feher said they’re excited for any business that helps grow the community.

“We are very excited about the new development that’s coming. We’re excited for all developments to come to P.A. and bring with it jobs and people and money,” she said.

The Prince Albert pulp mill ceased operations in 2006 after being open for more than 30 years.

The province expects that the mill restart will result in around 1,650 direct and indirect jobs. The new OSB mill will bring in around 700 jobs.

“Anytime a big industry like this comes to your community, it’s good news,” Feher added. “We need some industry, and this is going to help fill that void.”

The $550 million investment by Paper Excellence to help refurbish the facility, will allow the mill to have capacity for up to 350,000 tonnes of Northern Bleached Softwood Kraft (NBSK) pulp annually.

The province is allocating most of the timber for the pulp mill while Paper Excellence will secure the remaining timber through agreements negotiated with other mills, Indigenous timber allocation holders and private landowners.

Derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @PA_Craddock

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