FORT FRANCES, Ont. – Four years after it closed, the Fort Frances pulp and paper mill could have a new lease on life.
The town on Thursday announced that Repap Resources Group has notified Resolute Forest Products that it intends to negotiate the purchase of the mill, which was closed in 2014.
Repap, which is said to be working with Toronto investment bank 4Front Capital Partners, plans to produce kraft paper at the mill with the intention of restarting operations next year.
Fort Frances mayor June Caul said returning more than 260 jobs to the area will reunite families and provide long-term opportunities for youth.
Though the Resolute-owned mill was shuttered in 2014, the company has continued to provide heat at the site at the request of the province while it has sought buyers.
Any purchaser of the mill would have to work with the province to secure access to the wood fibre assigned to the mill.
In 2016, through negotiations with a potential buyer that fell through, Resolute indicated there was enough fibre available to operate the mill.
