Atikokan Mill Being Renovated

Work is underway to renovate the former Fibratech Plant in Atikokan.

Mayor Dennis Brown says Atikokan Renewable Fuels has finalized the purchase of the particle board plant.

"A group led by Ed Fukushima out of Thunder Bay have now gained ownership of the plant," says Brown, "Their plan is to make the necessary renovations to start producing wood pellets. They predict (operations to begin) in the first quarter of 2010.

The company is planning to invest an initial $15 million to convert the plant.

When the wood pellet operation is up and running, an anticipated 40 jobs will be created.