Gov. Gregoire celebrates the reopening of Harbor Paper in Hoquiam

For Immediate Release: October 29, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire today celebrated the reopening of Harbor Paper, formerly Grays Harbor Paper Co., which reopened in September and immediately began producing paper. Today, Harbor Paper is in full production and brings an estimated 175 family wage jobs to the region.

�Today is a celebration of renewal,� said Gregoire. �The reopening of Harbor Paper is a positive example of what can happen when the state, private investment and local business comes together � and that is they can help rebuild and revive a local economy and community. Paper production has been a constant in Grays Harbor for more than 84 years and has employed many generations of workers. Today that commitment continues and I�m very proud to have played a role in this success story.�

The Harbor Paper mill received state funding through Washington�s Small Business Credit Initiative, a program announced in December of 2011 and administered by the state�s Department of Commerce to provide small business owners with as much as $5 million in loans to help create and preserve jobs in underserved communities. That funding, combined with private investments, helped re-open the mill�s doors.

Harbor Paper is leading the way in producing uncoated, free-sheet recycled paper using sustainable and renewable energy sources. The mill is a net producer of energy and the production process is carbon neutral.