NORTHUMBERLAND, N.H. (AP) — A North Country town that has been struggling since its paper mill closed in 2007 and put several hundred people out of work has taken a step toward bringing back jobs.
Northumberland voters on Saturday voted to borrow up to $400,000 to put in water and sewage lines to the 137-acre property, formerly the site of Wausau Paper Mill in the village of Groveton. However, the funding is dependent on a federal grant of about $800,000. If the grant is not received, the money will not be raised.
Local and state officials have been trying to bring businesses to the area for years in an impoverished region that's lost about 3,000 jobs in the last decade due to the closing of manufacturers and a resort hotel.
A state economics official believes the town has a good chance of getting the grant.
