The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) announced an agreement to provide ND Paper with $1.7 million in tax credits over three years to support the company’s expansion at its Biron division—a project expected to create 27 new jobs. The company is investing $189 million in the expansion project.
ND Paper, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Nine Dragons Paper, is planning several major projects, including the conversion of the B25 paper machine from white papers to containerboard products, construction of a two-line greenfield recycled pulp facility and the construction of a water treatment and fiber recovery plant.
“ND Paper’s choice to invest here in Wisconsin shows the company’s continued commitment to our state and their workforce,” said Mark R. Hogan, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “These initiatives will require a significant capital investment on the part of the company and WEDC is proud to provide support to make this a viable project for ND Paper.”
"We are extremely grateful for the support of WEDC and the State of Wisconsin,” said Ken Liu, ND Paper’s group deputy chairman and CEO. “These strategic investments not only create 27 new positions, but also preserve the jobs of our existing workforce of well over 300 hardworking employees. Our vision is to transform the Biron division into a world-class facility that is sustainable for the next 100 years.”
The actual amount of state income tax credits the company receives is contingent upon the number of jobs created and retained, and the amount of capital investment the company makes through 2022. As is the case for all WEDC tax credits, ND Paper must first create the jobs and make the capital investment before receiving any credits.
In addition to the 27 jobs expected to be created by ND Paper, an economic modeling study estimates the project could indirectly generate 31 additional jobs in the region.
State and regional officials applauded ND Paper for its commitment to grow in the region.
“I am thrilled to receive confirmation of this expansion to the Biron mill. This means an important local employer will remain a strong part of our community, and we can look forward to more family-supporting jobs right here in Wood County,” said Rep. Scott Krug (R-Nekoosa). “A key component is WEDC’s tax credits, coming to ND Paper over the next three years in support of this expansion. The future of papermaking is strong here in central Wisconsin thanks to help from WEDC.”
"ND Paper is a major player in the resurgent paper industry in central Wisconsin,” said Gordon Crow, executive director of Centergy Inc. “I am thoroughly impressed with the commitment that the team at ND Paper has brought to Biron, Wood County and this region. Having toured the mill and witnessed firsthand what is happening there, I am confident that ND Paper is contributing to progress in the region.”
ND Paper is an environmentally friendly company that manufactures various types of high-quality pulp and paper. The company’s mills in Biron, Wisconsin, and Rumford, Maine, are integrated pulp and paper facilities, and their mill in Fairmont, West Virginia, is one of only three in the world that produces air-dried recycled pulp. The company has 1,200 employees who together produce more than 1.2 million short tons of pulp and paper annually.