Former Weyerhaeuser Mill poised to re-open?

Information on the ACOA web site seems to point to the re-opening of the Weyerhaeuser OSB Mill.

In February 2007 the mill closed temporarily, and June it announced its permanent closure.  At the time,  Drew English, Forestlands Manager with Weyerhaeuser commented,  “Unfortunately, Miramichi doesn’t fit [Weyerhaeuser’s] long-term plan.”

In January 2009 ForestTalk.com reported that Arbec abandoned it's plan citing  it can not get enough wood to operate the mill.  Government representatives said  at the time Arbec asked for wood the previous fall but had not presented details of its future project in writing, required under the Crown Lands and Forests Act.  Weyerhaeuser mill traditionally operated on more than 600,000 cubic metres of wood a year.

In July 2010 a deal with TAG Enterprises also fell through, though the provincial government at the time said there was wood available to run the mill.

Now Arbec is back in the picture.  So, what has changed?  MO))) received a call telling us about a link on the ACOA web site that shows a recent project approval for Arbec in Miramichi.  Here is the link.

Program Type:	Business Development Program
Project No:	7043823
Client Name:	Arbec Forest Products Inc. / Produits Forestiers Arbec Inc.
Client Address:	St-Léonard, H1P3C6
Project Location:	MIRAMICHI CITY
Assistance Type:	Repayable Contribution
Project Description:	Purchase and re-start OSB Mill - Miramichi
Total Cost:	$31,800,000.00	Eligible Amount:	$7,100,000.00
Total Government Funding:	$10,300,000.00	ACOA Assistance:	$2,000,000.00
Estimated Commencement Date:	2011-10-15	Estimated Completion Date:	2012-05-31
Public Access Date:	2011-12-19

MO))) contacted Arbec, but the media spokesperson was not available, but we hope he returns our call.

 

About Arbec

Produits Forestiers ARBEC  produces some 300 billion feet of softwood lumber a year, as well as quantities of pulp. ARBEC lumber is used in residential and commercial construction, and its bleached pulp in paper. Its mills operate in Port-Cartier, and the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Québec, handling mainly black spruce. A St-Georges de Champlain facility produces oriented strand board. Products are distributed by Boscus Canada, primarily to customers in North America, such as Katahdin Pulp and Paper Company. ARBEC also holds a 50% in Rémabec Management, a maker of hardwood products. As of 2009, all shares in ARBEC were owned by Emanuel (Lino) Saputo, through Jolina Capital Inc.