Maine mill closing around Sept. 2

MILLINOCKET, Maine—Maine elected leaders say the Katahdin Paper mill in Millinocket will be closing its doors on or around Sept. 2. The mill previously set a July 28 shut-down date, but later said that date would be pushed back.

Maine's two U.S. senators, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, said Tuesday they're working to see that assistance programs are in place for mill workers. Gov. John Baldacci says he's also working with mill owners to address energy costs.

Baldacci says mill owners are committed to starting the mill as soon as a new biomass gasification system is installed. He says the mill could then hire its employees back.