"Very concerned," longtime resident of Mosinee Chuck Kyhos explained how he felt after hearing the news that the Mosinee Paper Mill would be sold.
Kyhos expresses an emotion felt by many people in Mosinee as the city reacts to the news that their mill is up for sale. Some residents voiced their concerns on our NewsChannel 7 Facebook page.
Jen Lee wrote, "This is beyond horrible!"
And Dan Lesniak added, "This is what happens when large companies with no connection to the communities take over."
Without releasing any details, Wausau Paper confirmed Friday that it will begin looking for potential buyers for the mill. It's the uncertainty that comes with this search that has Kyhos and many others on edge.
"Being sold is one thing and, and knowing where it's going to. But it is for sale and... we hope it isn't another Brokaw, " Kyhos said.
The Brokaw mill closed it's doors back in February of 2012, ending over 105 years of paper making and costing nearly 450 jobs. The Mosinee Paper Mill first opened in 1910. Since then, it's employed generations of workers. Workers that are now concerned about the futures of their jobs.
Don Dupuis' family has worked at the mill for as long as he can remember. Now he's worried about what lifetimers will do if the sale turns into a closure.
"People who have been their a long time, not necessarily toward retirement already, but it's hard to start over for these guys," Dipuis told NewsChannel 7.
It's not just mill employees who will be effected by any changes.
"It's a very, very important part of our community financially and the living conditions we wind up with," Kyhos explained.
Back in August, 2012 NewsChannel 7 spoke with the Mosinee Area Chamber Executive Director, Tammy Campo. At the time she expressed concern over how selling the mill could affect the city as a whole.
"It's so ingrained in us, being a mill town, and coming with our Mosinee Paper Mill. I do think we would struggle greatly with that," Campo said.
With Wausau Paper not commenting on the timing or terms of any transactions, all that's left for the people of Mosinee to do is wait.
NewsChannel 7 did reach out to Wausau Paper for comment. They have not yet returned our calls.
