WISCONSIN RAPIDS – A cooperative formed after the closure of Verso’s paper mill has toured the facility and filed a letter of intent to purchase the Wisconsin Rapids mill, State Rep. Scott Krug, R-Nekoosa, told the Wisconsin Rapids Together Task Force Wednesday.

The group met briefly Wednesday morning for the first time since October.

Krug told the task force he has been talking with David Sams, Verso`s vice president of environmental health, safety and sustainability; Gov. Tony Evers; and members of the Consolidated Cooperative, which was formed by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association with the intent to purchase the mill.

Krug said Sams told him Verso would continue running converting operations at the mill, and Verso is continuing to weigh all of its options, including possibly restarting the entire mill themselves...
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Ken Notes: I also edit and publish 5PNews.com and have followed this closely. We need to lean on Verso to ensure this facility reopens ASAP. Verso seem motivated to keep it closed to increase the value and possibly seek a Chinese buyer, this is not good for the economy of central Wisconsin or the local paper industry that needs the pulp....