Phillip Bradshaw, Jim Councill, Mike Johnson
Published Friday, March 5, 2010
Everyone is concerned about the Franklin mill closure and interested in what Franklin and Southampton and Isle of Wight County are doing to address the significant impacts this closure will have on employment, reuse of the mill site, tax structures and our local economy. While each of these areas deserves individual attention, let us briefly give you an overview of the regional effort being expended on your behalf.
On Oct. 22 when we were first informed of the closure, Franklin Mayor Jim Councill, Phillip Bradshaw, chairman of the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors and Mike Johnson, administrator of Southampton County, met within the hour to formulate a response and plan of action to strengthen our region collectively.
FRANKLIN — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe met privately in Richmond with Gov. Bob McDonnell this week to discuss a proposal to purchase facilities at the International Paper Co. mill.
“It was a good, positive meeting,” McDonnell press secretary Stacey Johnson said in a written statement Thursday. “The governor thought he had some good ideas and enjoyed hearing them.”
FRANKLIN — International Paper Co. will permanently shut down the two remaining paper machines at the Franklin mill on April 15.
“It is possible for that date to change, but barring something unforeseen, April 15 will be the final day of operation for the No. 4 and No. 5 paper machines,” said Franklin Mill Manager Ted Lewellyn.
According to Mill Communications Manager Desmond Stills, the majority of the workforce at the mill will be released sometime between April 15 and June 30.
