CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today sent a letter to 5,400 North Country businesses as part of the State of New Hampshire’s continuing efforts to assist the 303 workers who will be laid off from the Wausau Paper mill in Groveton at the end of the year. The letter asks the businesses to work with the state’s Rapid Response Team to fill any job openings they may have.

“The State of New Hampshire is working to do all we can to assist these workers, their families and the community in recovering from this difficult loss. That starts with doing everything we can to find new jobs for these workers, and that is where we need your help,” Gov. Lynch wrote to all businesses within 50 miles of Groveton. “Wausau Paper workers are hard-working, dependable, skilled and very eager to work. These men and women would be outstanding additions to your workforce.”

If the companies notify the Rapid Response Team of job openings, the team will work to place Groveton Mill workers in those positions, providing job training where necessary.

“I have seen how New Hampshire neighbors help each other in times of need. The families of Wausau Paper and the entire town of Groveton need our help now,” Gov. Lynch said.

The letter also ask businesses to notify the Rapid Response Team if they need assistance because their companies are suffering as a result of the mill’s impending closure.

Earlier this week, the state applied for a federal National Emergency Grant to assist workers. If the National Emergency Grant application is approved it will make available $660,000 in federal funds which can be used for assistance including counseling, job search and job training services for the workers at the mill. The U.S. Secretary of Labor can provide a National Emergency Grant when there has been a significant job loss in a community.

The NEG application is in addition to an application for Trade Act certification, which, if approved, will provide additional training resources to the Groveton workers including career counseling, training, income support during training, job search assistance, access to a health coverage tax credits and relocation allowances.

In addition, the state has opened a Worker Assistance Center at the mill, which is offering counseling, workshops, training classes and job search assistance to workers.

The state Division of Economic Development’s Business Recruitment Team is in the process of implementing a plan to attract a new company to the Wausau site. The division has also been actively engaged in trying to recruit new businesses to the North Country.

A copy of Gov. Lynch’s letter is below.

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November 14, 2007

Dear Friend,

As I am sure you are aware, Wausau Paper of Groveton has announced it is closing its paper mill, leaving 303 hard-working, talented men and women without jobs as of December 31st. This closure of the mill follows the earlier shutdown of Groveton Paperboard in 2005, when 108 people lost their long-time jobs.

The State of New Hampshire is working to do all that we can to assist these workers, their families and the community in recovering from this difficult loss. That starts by doing everything we can to help these workers find new jobs, and that is why I am writing to you and all employers located within 50 miles of Groveton.

The State of New Hampshire can assist you in matching any potential job openings in your business with qualified workers from Wausau Paper. The state can post job openings and help develop plans for new employees or business expansion. Through the Job Training Fund, the state can also partner with your business to retrain workers.

Wausau Paper workers are hard-working, dependable, skilled and very eager to work. These men and women could be outstanding additions to your workforce.

I am also aware that there are businesses in the region facing challenges of their own resulting from the closure of the mill.

If you have any plans to hire new workers, if you are interested in learning how New Hampshire can help you train new employees, or if your business is experiencing difficulties, we have a NH Works Rapid Response team member ready to assist you. For more information, please call 603-636-6420 and ask for Evelyn.

I have seen how New Hampshire neighbors help each other in times of need. The families of Wausau Paper and the entire town of Groveton need our help now.

Thank you for thinking of your neighbors.

Sincerely,

John H. Lynch
Governor