200 New Jobs Will Boost Local Economy

United Steelworkers Union (USW) officials praised International Paper’s (IP) decision to implement a project that could lead to the redevelopment of the Franklin, Va., mill. The union has worked with the company since the closure with the hope of developing other options for the site.

USW International Vice President Jon Geenen, who heads the union’s paper sector, said: “We have never given up on trying to help our members and their community, including reaching out with IP to public officials to emphasize the potential and opportunity that exists on the site. We are excited about the possibilities associated with the redevelopment project in Franklin and the opportunity it creates by moving the facility toward markets with a bright future in a modern economy. IP’s decision represents a huge gain for the Franklin area and Virginia at a time when family sustaining jobs are increasingly hard to come by.”

“We have been working closely with IP for the past several months on a platform that would encourage alternatives that would help make repurposing the site a viable option,” said Stan Johnson, International-Secretary Treasurer and IP Council Chair. “This project will return hundreds of good-paying, advanced manufacturing jobs to Franklin. We commend IP for not giving up on options for this site and making the investment that should lead to jobs for another generation ... more