Nonprofit community development organization Our Katahdin has been awarded $5.3 million from the federal government to make infrastructure improvements at the site of the former Great Northern Paper Mill in Millinocket.
The money will be used to establish an industrial park to support wood-product manufacturing and high-tech data processing businesses.
The mill ceased operations in 2008. Our Katahdin bought the former mill site for $1 in Jan. 2017. The investment money from the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration is to fund construction of water, sewer, roadway and electrical infrastructure for the industrial park to support economic recovery in the region.
Our Katahdin estimates the project will create 115 jobs and spur $205 million in private investment.
In a press release from Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine’s 2nd District, Our Katahdin President Sean DeWitt says that the organization is working hard to resolve a $1.4 million inherited lien on the site that will allow the grant funds to flow.