By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
NASHVILLE PLANTATION, Maine — Officials with J.D. Irving, Limited Sawmills Division announced Monday the company will invest $30 million in a new state-of-the-art softwood sawmill in Nashville Plantation, located between Ashland and Portage off Route 11. During the construction phase, the new facility will employ up to 50 people at peak. Once the mill is operating, 60 permanent jobs will be created. Biomass boilers, dry kilns and a planer mill will also be part of the investment. Construction will begin shortly, pending favorable permitting. The new mill is expected to open in late spring 2014.
The softwood lumber produced at this new facility will provide customers their choice of products that are environmentally certified under the Forest Stewardship (FSC) Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) programs. The majority of the lumber produced will be sold to major retail lumber yards located throughout the U.S. Eastern Seaboard.
The round wood log supply for the new sawmill will be procured from the company’s Maine freehold woodlands as well as other woodlot and timberland owners in the state.
The company has reached an agreement with the United States Steel Workers Union (USW) to certify the site.
“We are committed to growing jobs and opportunities in Maine. This new mill at Nashville Plantation will deliver new jobs and the best technology for the workers, and will be sustained by a wood supply from Maine producers. We look forward to serving valued customers through the U.S. northeast with quality, certified lumber,” said Gaston Poitras, vice president of sawmills.
Toby Pineo will serve as the new mill manager.
Gov. Paul LePage praised Irving’s decision.
“This is the kind of news we like to see in Maine: a good company expanding and creating quality jobs for Maine people,” said Gov. LePage. “Maine is open for business, and we will continue our efforts to make Maine as competitive as possible for private investment and job growth.”
Irving’s expansion will take place on the site of the wood processing facility that closed in 2008. Once open, company officials indicated the facility would complement other timberland operations in the county, as well as a pine sawmill in Dixfield.
“We will keep working with the company to see this expansion through,” said Rosaire Pelletier, the governor’s senior forest products advisor. “This is a great example of what can happen when business and government work together.”
Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson, of Allagash, is encouraged by Irving’s announcement.
“This is great for the people of Aroostook County and for Maine loggers,” said Sen. Jackson. “This is a good example of how in Maine we should be doing everything we can to capitalize on our natural resources, process our resources here and buy our made-in-Maine products. There’s nothing more American than buying what you or your neighbor makes.”
Jackson said giving good jobs to people shouldn’t be “a problem for any business,” noting Irving is working with the union regarding a contract for the mill.
“It was great to learn these jobs will be union jobs. A commitment to union jobs is a commitment to good-paying, safe jobs,” said Jackson.
Jackson, a longtime advocate of union labor, noted that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, working families in “right to work” states earn $5,538 a year less than states without the laws, and the rate of workplace deaths is 52.9 percent higher than in union states.
“I’m very glad Irving chose to build a mill in Maine that will create American products. Places like Home Depot and other big businesses want American-made products. This will add to the American market,” said Jackson.
The mill’s access to Irving’s rail line and Northern Maine Rail will be a big plus when it comes time to transport products to market.
“We are modernizing and expanding the existing mill footprint that closed in the fall of 2008. Rail is a vital link for moving product to markets and residual chips to pulp and paper mills,” said Mary Keith, vice president of communications.
The news is also good for the local economy.
“I’m excited about Irving’s plans. They expect to begin work immediately and be operational by spring. Situated between Ashland and Portage, this will have a positive impact not only on these communities but Aroostook and the state as a whole,” said Ashland Town Manager Ralph Dwyer.
Dwyer said Irving’s plan “makes sense,” given the number of qualified people the region has to fill the positions.
“We get much-needed jobs. Businesses will benefit as employees spend paychecks,” said Dwyer. “This is very welcomed news.”
Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King congratulated Irving in a joint statement.
“This new sawmill will have a positive economic impact in Aroostook County and well beyond,” said Sens. Collins and King in a joint statement. “This investment will create as many as 60 permanent jobs and confirms the economic potential offered by Maine’s many natural resources and hardworking people, and it joins other mills in Aroostook County that are providing good jobs and wood for a rebounding housing market.”
