Paper Mill Jobs Coming Back to Ballard County

Representatives from Verso Corporation, Governor Matt Bevin, and representatives from Global Win Wickliffe, LLC., a Chinese company, announced that the paper mill in Wickliffe will reopen, hopefully by the end of the year.

“Global Win Wickliffe will be a tremendous addition to West Kentucky, and the 500 jobs associated with the reopening of this paper mill will provide opportunities for years to come,” Governor Bevin said in a press release. “Since the facility’s closure two years ago, our economic development team has worked tirelessly alongside Verso to find the right match for the region’s workforce, and we are confident we have found that in the buyer. We want to thank Global Win Wickliffe for locating its first US operation in Kentucky, and we wish the company much success in this exciting venture.”

Governor Bevin also added, "This will be a good partnership. The seeds will germinate, the roots will grow deep, and fruit will be borne for generations to come, generations to come."

Executives of Global Win Wickliffe signed the agreement with representatives of Verso to buy the facility for approximately $16 million, and the sale should close this fall. The new owners will refurbish the mill with new equipment and updated technology, and they anticipate reopening the mill by the end of 2018. The facility, which is the first U.S. facility for Global Win, will produce pulp and brown paper packaging.

Verson idled the plant in November 2015, laying off over 300 workers. They closed the plant in 2016.

Sen. Danny Carroll, of Paducah, said the arrival of Global Win could be a difference maker for the west Kentucky workforce.

“I want to welcome Global Win to Ballard County and thank the company for bringing much needed jobs back to our region,” Sen. Carroll said. “It says everything about our workforce and the available resources in our area that the company has chosen Wickliffe for its first US operation. It required a lot of people working together to make this project possible, and this promises to be a major boon for west Kentucky.”

Rep. Steven Rudy, of Paducah, said the community is ready for the new opportunity.

“Global Win will be a great fit for west Kentucky, and I look forward to the company thriving in an area with a dedicated workforce that has awaited this type of opportunity for the past two years,” Rep. Rudy said. “The paper mill is an important factor in the Ballard County economy, and its reopening is fantastic news. Thanks to the company and all those who made this project a reality.”

Ballard County Judge-Executive Todd Cooper said the project will positively impact more than just the local region.

“We are so excited Global Win Wickliffe LLC has purchased the Wickliffe Paper Mill,” Judge-Executive Cooper said. “This will be a tremendous job creator and economic engine for the entire Purchase Region and surrounding states. I want to thank Governor Bevin and the staff of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development for the hard work and effort put forth to help Global Win Wickliffe locate in Kentucky.” Cooper went on to say it is not just huge for Ballard County, but for the entire region of the country including Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Southeast Missouri, West Tennessee, Eastern Arkansas, North Mississippi, and North Alabama. He explained that these outlying areas are where much of the logging operations will be coming from, which will be a major economic impact for those areas.

Carlisle County Judge-Executive Greg Terry expressed gratitude for the group effort to reopen the paper mill.

“Carlisle County is very excited to hear about the reopening of the paper mill in Wickliffe. It’s a good day for western Kentucky to hear that the paper mill will be back in production,” Judge-Executive Terry said. “It’s also a blessing to the citizens of our counties that there will be more jobs available. Ballard county leaders have worked tirelessly to make this happen.”

Several former employees of the paper mill came to the facility Thursday afternoon to celebrate the announcement. 

Lawrence Otey, a 43 year employee of the mill, told West Kentucky Star, that this means a lot for the whole county, and the people that lost their jobs, and now having the potential of getting their job back, to hopefully be the way it was years ago.