Efforts underway to see Columbia Forest Products re-open in Rutherglen

Local officials are working together to foster the potential re-opening of Columbia Forest Products in Rutherglen.

MP Jay Aspin says he attended a meeting this week, at the plant, involving representatives of the company, MPP Vic Fedeli and the Mattawa-Bonfield Economic Development Corporaration.

He says there has been some positive things happening that could lead to the plant re-opening.

He points to a strong U.S. dollar, American markets recovering and the company looking at the possibility of adding more capacity in coordination with other plants they operate.

Aspin says a team approach is needed here, just like there was with the approach taken that resulted in the successful reopening of Mount Antoine.

This weeks meeting included a tour of the shuttered plant, which Aspin says has been kept in good shape since closing.

Overall, he says he’s optimistic. Aspin says at it’s peak the mill employed 300 people, but even if they get 10 to 15 percent operating again, that would create 40 to 50 jobs in the region.

The plant shut down in 2010 when markets and economic conditions forced the company to cease operations.

In terms of a timeline, Aspin says it’s dependent on markets, but something could happen in the next six to nine months.