Pactiv Evergreen plans to close its Canton paper mill. Employees found out Monday, and company officials confirmed the move to News 13 on Monday night.
The plant, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, employs about 1,100 people and is one of the largest employers in Haywood County, said Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers, who likened the closure to taking a piece of the town's soul.
Smathers said the news came out of nowhere, and there was no fair warning.
"The words are simply not enough," Smathers said. "When I was downtown and I saw grown men with tears in their eyes, there are not words, and no one was prepared on this dark Monday to deal with that.”
Earlier this evening, union leaders for Smokey Mountain Local 507 were called to meet with Evergreen packaging officials Monday and were told of the plan to close the mill.
The shutdown in Canton and reduction in Waynesville will happen this summer.
Smokey Mountain Local 507 President Troy Dills said when he asked about the future of the facility, company officials told him they did not intend to tear the pant down.
Smathers does not know if another mill will open there.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSCanton mayor: Paper mill closing is like taking a piece of town's soul | WLOS
