Domtar Paper Company plans to invest up to $20 million to upgrade and add equipment at its Hawesville, Kentucky paper mill. The company will upgrade existing equipment and invest up to $10 million to construct a new conveyor system, which will allow Domtar to transport its product directly between the plant and the nearby Ohio River. The system is expected to lower operating expenses, reduce greenhouse gases and help retain the existing 452 jobs at the facility.

The firm operates 13 mills across the world, including the Hawesville Mill, a large pulp and paper facility. The Hancock County plant makes approximately 80,000 tons of market hardwood pulp, which is used for paper production, and about 600,000 tons of printing grade paper each year.

“Domtar is excited to make this significant investment at our Hawesville facility,” said Hawesville Mill General Manager Steve Henry. “This investment will benefit the environment, our community and the long-term competitiveness of our facility.”

“Domtar Paper is making a solid commitment to growing its success here in the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “This partnership will lead to the retention of 452 jobs and an investment of $20 million near Hawesville, two extremely good reasons to mark this as a time for celebration.” As an incentive to encourage the investment in Hancock County, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Domtar for tax incentives up to $290,000 through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act. KRA is designed to assist companies that need to make significant capital investment in Kentucky facilities in order to remain competitive.

“We are thrilled Domtar is putting in a conveyor system upgrade to the plant,” said Hancock County Judge-Executive Jack McCaslin. “This addition will save the company money and will be good for the company, the county and employees.”