“Biggest plus is increase to industrial tax base”: Mackenzie Mayor on paper mill re purposing

Mackenzie Mayor Joan Atkinson says the eventual re-purposing of the community’s former paper mill will mean good things.

Last week, the BMI group acquired the 885-acre property, which includes about 345,000 square feet of industrial buildings and direct rail access, will be re-established as Willmarck Mackenzie.

Atkinson told Vista Radio having major industry leave their community over the years has meant a lot of financial juggling.

“The biggest plus is the increase in the industrial tax base. With the closure of the pulp mill and the Canfor sawmill we have lost $1.8 million dollars in industrial tax.”

“We have an annual budget this year of just under 14-million. Of course, losing $1.8 million from last year to this year is a huge chunk.”

She added giving that old paper mill life is good news for her community.

“The big thing is that it is going to make that piece of property more attractive for re-development. The BMI group’s role in this is to get that property revitalised for the use, whatever that may be.”

“Having this property that will be available for further industrial use will help us address that shortage of lost industrial tax.”

BMI said there are are plans to work alongside local and Indigenous partners, and they will collaborate with community and civic leadership to evaluate opportunities that align with community priorities, regional resources, and long-term goals.