The town of Canton is poised for transformation following the acquisition of part of its old Pactiv Evergreen papermill. The local government finalized a deal on Wednesday to procure 35 acres of the site, which includes warehouses and a chipyard, at a cost of $12.5 million. The land was previously under the ownership of Two Banks Development.
Historically, Canton benefitted from a no-cost wastewater treatment arrangement with the mill. However, the plant’s proximity to the Pigeon River made it susceptible to flooding—incidents occurred in 2004, during Hurricane Fred in 2021, and again in 2024 with Hurricane Helene. Plans are now in motion to construct a new treatment facility on more secure, elevated ground while maintaining existing pipeline connections.
Currently, Two Banks manages the wastewater treatment operations, incurring $140,000 monthly maintenance costs. “We will need that service until we build our new wastewater treatment plant, which is underway with the design work,” Smathers stated.
This strategic land acquisition empowers Canton to decide the future use of the facilities. Smathers expressed optimism about attracting industries to utilize the warehouse spaces, potentially fostering economic growth through light manufacturing or retail ventures.
While the acquired property represents a mere fraction of the entire mill site, Smathers envisions it as a catalyst for economic opportunities and essential wastewater infrastructure. “As much as we want to talk about the economic future of Canton, the first thing we have to do is provide good services,” Smathers emphasized. “We feel that the next chapter of Canton economically should start off exactly where we left it and that is with the manufacturing jobs.”
Significantly, the acquisition was facilitated by a Helene relief bill passed last June, when the General Assembly allocated $14 million to support the purchase of the land and infrastructure, marking the culmination of long-term planning efforts.
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