BY DALE LIESCH
The Tidewater News

FRANKLIN—International Paper’s Franklin mill began operations this week to produce fluff pulp, more than two years after the mill’s closure resulted in the loss of 1,100 jobs.

The mill now employs more than 200 workers. About 85 percent of them worked there before the closure.

The company converted one of six paper machines to produce the absorbent material used for products like diapers. The mill is expected to produce 840 tons of the material a day when it hits full production, mill spokeswoman Julie Brennan said.

“We still have things to fine-tune,” Brennan said. “We’re still working through some start-up issues.”

Running the converted machine that hadn’t been operated in more than two years was a big project, Brennan said, in addition to preparing the rest of the mill for start up.

“These things never come without roadblocks,” she said. “We’ve chipped away at all of them.”

Brennan said the employees who now work there are a “very talented group,” and many of the former employees were doing the same job as before in areas that haven’t changed, like power generating and woodyard operations.

“It’s been a wonderful journey,” she said. “Over the past year, we’ve taken it from a lot of construction activity through checkout and commissioning and startup, and now we’re in production.”

Brennan said there currently are no plans to move more production to the Franklin mill.

“It’s a growing market, but International Paper has capacity at other facilities to do (fluff pulp production) as well.”

The opening of the mill in Isle of Wight County represents an almost $90 million investment. Local officials were optimistic about the future.

“The job creation, salaries and the tax revenue it creates should have a positive impact,” Franklin City Manager Randy Martin said.

Downtown businesses have already reaped the benefits of IP’s decision to repurpose the mill, cashing in on the activity there prior to start up.

“So far, the lead in to start up has been good with new workers and contractors using our hotels and restaurants,” said Dan Howe, executive director of Downtown Franklin Association. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and we still have a long way to go, but it’s a positive step.”

Texas Nails and Spa; Simply Distributing, a vacuum sales and service shop; and Downtown Clearance Center, a furniture store, have all held grand opening ceremonies in June. Howe gives at least partial credit for that to increased activity at the mill.

“I think we’re going in the right direction,” Howe said.

Amanda Jarratt, president and CEO of Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., said the mill announcement coupled with the announcement that Enviva, a wood pellet manufacturer coming to Southampton County, will have a groundbreaking this month is important news that will strengthen the area’s ability to attract industry.

“We added the workforce and environment to make these things successful,” she said. “It’s important to showcase we have the environment here to allow business to be successful.”

Teresa Beale, executive director of the Franklin Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, said it’s nice to see people back at work and the facility back on line.

“The first word I think of is exciting,” she said. “It’s an exciting day for the community.”