Forest Products Processing Renaissance Zone Created

 by Bruce Goodman

Verso Paper’s U.P. Quinnesec Mill in Breitung Township has been designated a Forest Products Processing Renaissance Zone by the state.  It is expected to double its capacity to turn wood products into electricity through a $43 million renewable energy project.  This will allow the mill to meet 95 percent of its energy needs using biomass.  The project will include a new Siemens turbine generator, and is expected to start up by December 2011.  As a Renaissance Zone, the company will operate free of virtually all state and local taxes for fifteen years.