Gov. Gregoire's Statement on Purchase of Cosmopolis Mill

Statement

Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on the purchase of the Cosmopolis pulp mill in Grays Harbor County:

"This is fantastic news for the Grays Harbor community and the entire state of Washington. The purchase agreement reached by Weyerhaeuser and The Gores Group means the return of hundreds of living-wage jobs in Grays Harbor County -- a county that suffers one of the highest unemployment rates in the state.

"Together with the Grays Harbor community, I spent many hours working to save and protect the Cosmopolis mill. We held community meetings, met with prospective buyers and commissioned a feasibility study that proved the mill could still be profitable. I applaud the work of the local community, as well as State Representatives Dean Takko, Brian Blake and Lynn Kessler, State Senators Brian Hatfield and Jim Hargrove, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Representative Norm Dicks for their commitment to saving the mill. I would also like to recognize our partnership with Weyerhaeuser, which worked with us to keep the mill viable and on the market. It's gratifying to know our hard work paid off to preserve jobs and the lifeblood of Cosmopolis.

"I look forward to developing a strong partnership with The Gores Group and Dermot Smurfit as they move forward to operate the new Cosmo Specialty Fibers, Inc. I want the company to know that I look forward to working with them, that I have been and will continue to do all I can to ensure their success, and with their help, bring our state to a full economic recovery."

Source