The borough's efforts have brought immediate returns. The borough has actively supported the proposal to bring a veneer plant to the pulp mill site. Sealaska Timber Corp. and Lousiana Pacific Corp. last week announced a joint venture to develop several projects at the KPC site, including a veneer mill, modernized sawmill, and a chip mill. The borough is looking forward to working with the joint venture in advancing some of the projects that have been on hold, such as the port authority and free trade zone. The mill began operating earlier this month, putting 40 local residents to work.
Expansion is planned for the future.
I said a positive environment for economic development so I can spend my money and build infrastructure. They agreed to give us some tax consideration because we will give it back 10 times over in employment and benefits from our operation. They're not just talking about economic development, they're doing it. Borough Planning Director Susan Dickinson says the borough leased land for Seley and then loaned him money to develop it. We were able to offer him some tantalizing economic incentives to help get this project off the ground.