CORRECTED: Natchez Inc. receives US$500,000 state grant, US$50,000 county grant for construction of access road at idled former Mississippi River deinked pulp mill in Natchez, Mississippi, as part of US$80M expansion plan

Mathew Kearney

NATCHEZ, Mississippi , May 21, 2014 (Associated Press) – The Adams County is putting up $50,000 worth of dirt to help a local industry get $500,000 for construction of an access road to its plant.

Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ brought the request to the board of supervisors. He told supervisors the von Drehle corporation had completed an engineering study at its property and determined it needed an additional access road.

Von Drehle purchased the former Mississippi River Pulp in early 2013 — three months after it was shuttered. It plans to invest $80 million and expand the line of products produced at the plant. The plant currently produces pulp products, but will eventually manufacture paper.

The Natchez Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/1oaclNq ) the business got a $500,000 grant from the state. The county was required to put up a 10 percent match.

Russ said the new access road will tie in to the back side of the plant, allowing a better flow of product and to accommodate the new equipment.

The county's match is dirt from a large hill across the road from the plant. The dirt will be used in the building of the road.

Industry Intelligence editor's note: Von Drehle purchased the idled Mississippi River Pulp and Paper, which had produced deinked pulp, in January 2013, saying the acquisition "provides the necessary de-inking and facility space for future mill and converting expansion," according to Industry Intelligence archives.

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