WLBZ Interviews Rice About Future of East Millinocket Mill
Robert Rice, a professor of wood science and technology at the University of Maine, spoke with, WLBZ (Channel 2) for a report about the future of the closed East Millinocket mill. Recently, Gov. Paul LePage said there are three bidders looking at the mill, according to the report. Rice said the mill doesn’t have any decent long-term prospects for paper making and pulp manufacturing because the mill machinery produces glossy, book and Bible paper, which have all seen decreases in demand. “Those are not strong markets and haven’t been for a number of years, so it would be a real uphill battle for that mill to reopen and remain viable. We certainly hope it could, but it would be a struggle I’m sure,” Rice said.