Based in an economically depressed area in northern New England, the Gilman Mill in Gilman, Vermont is a model of sustainable manufacturing. It closed in June, 2007 due to a lack of financial resources. We would like to encourage the government of the state of Vermont to support one of the few environmentally friendly paper manufacturers in the world, for the good of the community and the environment as a whole.
The Gilman Mill in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is one of the world's few paper mills with a
negative-carbon footprint. Manufacturing 100% recycled products, with technology to produce cutting-edge biodegradable packaging products, Gilman is a model of sustainable manufacturing.
Dirigo Paper Company, under the leadership of Peter Hanson, developed the Gilman Mill into a leading producer of recycled book paper used by socially responsible publishers and printers.
On top of these credentials, the mill also employs over 100 skilled workers with high-quality jobs and has brought in over $500 million in trade to an economically depressed area.
Yet, shockingly in these times of concern over global climate change and loss of US manufacturing jobs to offshore, heavily polluting economies producing suspect goods, the Gilman Mill is languishing, shut down without any prospect of government support, its workers told to seek employment elsewhere.
We, the undersigned, ask you to please help the Gilman Mill, for the good of the Northeast Kingdom and the world. Thank you for taking the time to read our letter and for your help.
