LEWISTON, Idaho – Clearwater Paper Corporation announced Tuesday it will begin construction to upgrade its Lewiston mill.
Construction on its continuous pulp digester project is slated to begin in October and is expected to be completed in September 2017. A pulp digester turns wood residuals into pulp.
Company leaders said the $160 million project will help reduced air emissions, improve pulp quality, production and more efficient utilization of wood chips.
Company leaders said they received tax exemption for the project, created an engineering plan and obtained a permit from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.
The Nez Perce County Commissioner said they believe Clearwater Paper is a very important part of the local and regional economy.
Officials said the project will require hundreds of contract workers from around the world. These workers will be lodging and dining in the region for more than two years. The project is expected to require an additional need for loggers and other related contractors due to increased wood purchasing.
Clearwater Paper in Lewiston currently employs 1,370 people. Company leaders said it pays $3.4 million in annual Nez Perce County taxes. They said the mill contributes $1.3 billion annually in economic activity to Asotin, Latah, Nez Perce and Whitman Counties.
