Solar company plans $600M investment in UPM's former N.B. mill
Umoe Solar is shining some positive light on the economic prospects for Miramichi after a company representative told local politicians how the company plans to spend $600 million in the area and create 350 new jobs.
Ernst Andersen, the director of human resources of the Norwegian solar company, met with Miramichi city councillors, local MLAs and Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne on Wednesday where it detailed its plan for the former UPM paper mill.
He told them about his company's plan to build a solar panel facility at the site. Umoe Solar will invest $600 million in the facility, hiring 350 people and that number could eventually double.
A few workers have been already hired to demolish parts of the current structure. But Andersen said it will be at least three years before the facility is up and running.
Despite the delay in the creation of the majority of jobs, Miramichi Mayor Gerry Cormier said it is good news for his community, which has been devastated in recent years by major job losses.
"There will be construction in the meantime, and there will be probably going through hiring process and stuff like that," Cormier said.
"And you know how time flies, a year or two it goes so fast. So basically just to have that hope that things are going to happen in the city is a very, very positive thing."
Province to discuss financial assistance
The province's business minister said he was pleased by what he heard and the province may be willing to partner with the facility, possibly through a financial assistance program.
"We have financial assistance programs, we'll be discussing those opportunities," Byrne said.
"Certainly we're going to work with the company to make sure that its training needs are met as well. So at this stage we are trying to identify what needs that the company would have and how we can be supportive."
Along with the Miramichi facility, the solar company will continue to operate a sawmill in Bathurst. But company has not decided on a long-term plan for that site.
Umoe Solar purchased UPM's New Brunswick holdings in January.
UPM, which was the northern city's largest employer, closed in December 2007, leaving more than 500 people out of work in the community.