Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement in response to Pixelle’s announcement today that it will permanently idle the third paper machine and will not rebuild the digester at the paper mill in Jay following the explosion earlier this year:
“This announcement is incredibly difficult news for Jay, for western Maine, and for the entire State of Maine. It is another blow to Maine’s vital forest products sector, from those who work in the mills to those who cut timber and deliver wood,” said Governor Janet Mills. “My Administration will do all we can to help those impacted by this decision, including providing unemployment and transition services to those laid off earlier. We will work harder than ever to stabilize and diversify our critical forest products industry and expand and strengthen markets for the forest products supply chain and the Maine people it employs.”