Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Bill Dombrowsky (from left), along with Clatsop Economic Development Resources' Kevin Leahy, Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce's David Reid, Clatsop Community College's Jarrod Hogue, Keith Seal, District 31 State Representative Darcy Edwards; Clatsop County Sheriff Matthew Phillips, and Georgia-Pacific Vice President of Northwest Region Manufacturing Jeremy Ness take part in the "groundbreaking" for the $150 million rebuild of the No. 1 paper machine at Georgia-Pacific's Wauna Mill Wednesday, June 25. Photo by Deborah Steele Hazen.
Almost 60 years after the Wauna Mill's No. 1 paper machine went on-line, Georgia-Pacific celebrated the groundbreaking of the new $150 million project to rebuild and modernize it on Wednesday, June 25.
The project will rebuild the vintage 1965 paper machine into a world-class operation to make paper for Angel Soft and private label bath tissue.
In the ceremony held under a tent on the mill grounds in eastern Clatsop County, Georgia-Pacific Vice President and Wauna Mill Manager Keith Seal told mill personnel and community representatives that Wauna is a "strategic asset" for the company. "The modernization project helps position the mill and the overall business to continue to be competitive in the market," said Seal.
President of Local 1097 Bill Dombrowsky emphasized that the new No. 1 machine will be more environmentally friendly, safer, and more energy efficient. Employment at the mill will remain about the same. For every job in the mill, Dombrowsky noted that two or three more jobs are sustained in the community. The mill provides employment for over 800 people from Clatsop and Columbia counties in Oregon, and Pacific, Wahkiakum, and Cowlitz counties in Washington.
Work has begun on the rebuilding of No. 1, and startup is scheduled for 2026. At the peak of construction, approximately 500 construction and contract-related workers are expected to be onsite at the mill.
"The Wauna mill team has a history of operating safely and sustainably, and being a leader in paper making," said Seal. "I have complete confidence in the Wauna team, employees and contractors, that they have the talent, the dedication and the proven track record to bring this machine online safely and successfully."
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