Grassroots effort to redevelop GNP mill in Millinocket sparking interest
Photo / James McCarthy
View of the former Great Northern Paper mill in Millinocket, as seen from the site of the proposed Thermogen wood pellet facility that never materialized.
Our Katahdin, the nonprofit that purchased the former Great Northern Paper Co. assets in Millinocket for $1 in January, reports a dozen businesses have expressed interest in being part of local efforts to redevelop the 1,400-acre former mill site and create new jobs.
The Bangor Daily News reported that the volunteer economic development group’s president, Sean DeWitt, was encouraged by the early expression of interest, but tempered his optimism by acknowledging much work needs to be done to make the site suitable for new business activities.
The group is creating an inventory of the site’s assets, evaluating previous environmental assessments and working with town officials on creating a marketing strategy for the site, as well as addressing an federal Internal Revenue Service lien against the property.
DeWitt told the newspaper that the dozen businesses that have toured the site comprise seven different industries and include biorefineries, pellet manufacturers, sawmills and packaging manufacturers.
The BDN reported that the nonprofit group has already met with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and was encouraged by the DEP’s interest in assisting its efforts to revitalize the site.
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