Steelworkers to Hold Candlelight Vigil as Kimberly Mill Prepares for Shutdown

Union continues talks in hopes of saving historic paper mill

Contact:
Andy Nirchl President of Local 2-9 (920) 740-9056
Jim Dercks (920) 265-1481

KIMBERLY, Wis. – Members of United Steelworkers Local 2-9 and their families will be holding a candlelight vigil across the street from the NewPage paper mill in Kimberly, Wisconsin Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00 p.m. Three weeks ago, the NewPage Corporation, headquartered in Miamisburg, Ohio announced that the Kimberly mill would be shutting down at the end of the summer.

USW Local 2-9, which represents 425 hourly production workers at the Kimberly Mill says the impending shutdown will have devastating impacts on the entire Kimberly community. “For almost 120 years this mill was the economic lifeblood of Kimberly. When the mill shuts down, I don’t know how this community will survive,” said Andy Nirchl, President of USW Local 2-9.

The Steelworkers have offered to help find a buyer for the mill in hopes that a shutdown can be averted. Union officials are also in talks with the company as well as state and local officials to try and find an operational future for the Kimberly Mill.

**Interview and Photograph Opportunities Available**

The Kimberly Mill is at 433 N Main St., Kimberly, WI