Kirkpatrick: Fort Apache Timber Company Sawmill in Whiteriver to Reopen; $10 million Loan Secured

Statement

U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., is pleased to announce a $10 million loan has been secured to reopen the Fort Apache Timber Company (FATCO) sawmill in Whiteriver on the White Mountain Apache Nation. The funding will provide working capital, support the repair and replacement of equipment, and rebuild the log deck.

Throughout the summer, Kirkpatrick met with stakeholders and urged Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn at the Bureau of Indian Affairs to finalize efforts to fund the sawmill reopening. The White Mountain Apache Tribe estimates the sawmill reopening will create 185 jobs.

Kirkpatrick grew up in Whiteriver, where she developed a deep understanding of the need for good-paying jobs and economic development on tribal land. Whiteriver's population is about 4,000, and unemployment hovers above 40 percent.

"This will not only create jobs, it will restore a major source of hope and pride for this community," Kirkpatrick said. "This sawmill is part of my vision for a diversified and stable economy throughout District One."

"This is exciting news for the White Mountain Apache Tribe," said WMAT Chairman Ronnie Lupe. "The reopening of FATCO is critical piece of economic development in our community and throughout the region. We thank Congresswoman Kirkpatrick for making this a top priority."

The sawmill will also help ensure the tribe has a pivotal role in restoring forest health and economic development to the region as the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI) is implemented. The overall goal of 4FRI is to restore the structure and composition of our forests, which will reduce forest fires while improving forest health, wildlife and plant diversity. Local businesses such as FATCO will play a role in the harvesting, processing and selling of timber products.

Kirkpatrick serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and has worked to secure numerous grants, loans and resources to strengthen the infrastructure of Arizona's rural communities.

Source