CANTON, N.C. (From news reports) -- Wheels are in motion to complete the Canton mill sale by Oct. 1, if all goes as planned.

In May, Pactiv Evergreen agreed to exclusively negotiate with Spirtas Worldwide, a company specializing in repurposing closed paper mills and other industrial sites. While it was estimated negotiations could take up to a year, it appears the details were worked out in four months.

Pactiv Evergreen signed a separate agreement in July to sell its Waynesville holdings to a Brazilian-based company, Suzano.

Spirtas was one of 30 companies competing to buy the Canton mill. Pactiv Evergreen spokesperson Beth Kelly said at the time Spirtas' wide experience working with closed paper mill sites, plus having funds in hand, gave the company an edge.

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said town officials, like others in the community, have been told there is an Oct. 1 sale date, though he warned there are many moving parts to transactions such as this that could cause a delay.

Pactiv Evergreen stunned the community with a March 2023 announcement that the mill would be closing, displacing nearly 900 workers at the Canton mill. The majority of employees lost their jobs that June.

The mill had been one of the largest employers in the county and grew simultaneously with the town of Canton from before its opening in 1908.

Smathers stressed that the mill sale is a transaction between two private companies and not one in which the town had any direct role. That said, Spirtas has communicated with local leaders along the way and had spent plenty of time getting to know the community.

"I've had more positive conversations with Eric (company owner Eric Spirtas) and his team in the last four to five months than I've had with Evergreen Packaging in the 41 years of my life," Smathers said. "He understands the importance of planning it out, preserving our history and making sure environmental issues are fixed."

Questions linger
Smathers said the town's decision to rezone its lone industrial site into a general business and a light industrial district set the stage for the future.

At the time of the rezoning, town leaders said the new zoning criteria had been discussed with Spirtas, who did not object to the change.

While that issue is resolved, Smathers said there are still other issues to be addressed, such as how the mill property will be redeveloped, how its history can be preserved and particularly, how the town's wastewater will be handled.

In that matter, the town is not completely sidelined, thanks to the highly regulated wastewater discharge permit process.

Through cooperation with state and federal partners, the town still has "a lot of teeth" when it comes to environmental issues, Smathers said.

"Even though they may be selling out, it does not relieve the company of its environmental or economic obligations to the town and the county," Smathers said. "They can't just walk away because they've sold. That has been made clear to Pactiv."

As for future interactions with Spirtas Worldwide, Smathers said he's pleased with the extent to which the owner has seemingly embraced the community.

He's spent time at Lake Logan, which was formed by the founding company, Champion International, when a back-up water supply was needed for mill operations. Spirtas is also a frequent visitor at the Mill Town Farmers Market.

"I'd say he's been here four times now," said Aubrey Brendle, the assistant market manager. "He brought his wife once and was here once for the tomato pie judging contest. He stopped by the market booth every time and seemed to talk with pretty much everyone."

Smathers said Spirtas has talked extensively about future plans, but that actions are what count.

"We've heard a lot of talk through the years that Evergreen would do this and that, and we're not going down the road again," the mayor said. "We're ready to help him (Spirtas) but will judge his actions, not his words."

Smathers said Spirtas has been very clear about wanting to do right by the people of Canton.

"I think he's telling us the truth," he said. "I'm very happy he's immersed himself in the community and remain cautiously optimistic."