Demolition for the longtime Canton Paper Mill is officially underway. Zeb Smathers, the mayor of Canton, told News 13 that the process is expected to take about two years.
On Wednesday, March 19, Smathers said it's bittersweet to see the mill start to come down because while it signals the start of their new chapter, the town is also officially saying goodbye to the century-old structure.
"Never forget the ones that came before and put the sacrifices in, at the end of the day we're just carrying on their legacy," said Smathers.
In March 2023, then-owner Pactiv Evergreen announced the closure of the Canton paper mill. The news shocked the town, as the mill was one of the largest employers in Haywood County, and the closure led to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The mill was sold to Spirtas Worldwide, a demolition and redevelopment company in January 2025 after Hurricane Helene delayed the finalization of the sale.
Last month, a settlement was reached for Pactiv Evergreen to pay the town of Canton and the state $6.25 million in financial restitution over the mill's closure. This comes from a May 2024 lawsuit filed by former attorney general and current governor Josh Stein, claiming that Pactiv breached a grant agreement and owed $12 million to the state.
Mayor Smathers said the settlement marked a new chapter for the town, and he's excited to see what's in store for the future of the mill site.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSDemolition of century-old Canton paper mill underway
