Niagara paper mill to close this week

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Associated Press

The NewPage paper mill in Niagara is closing at the end of this week — much sooner than previously thought.

NewPage bought the North American operations of Finland-based Stora Enso for more than $2 billion last year. The sale included the plant in Niagara.

The company says it’s shutting down the plant that employs 319 people and will consider selling it.

The closing date had shifted from fall to mid-July. And now, plant officials say it’s closing this weekend.

Mill Manager John Reichert says the closure is tough on everyone, especially because the dates kept changing.

NewPage President Rick Willett said this month that business is down as advertisers deal with an uncertain economy.