Aid available for workers affected by Eastern closure

BREWER – Workers who were indirectly affected by the Jan. 16 closure of Eastern Pulp and Paper mills in Brewer and Lincoln are now eligible for National Emergency Grant funds. Indirectly affected workers are those who work for businesses that are not directly associated with the mills but whose business will be harmed by the shutdown.

The Maine Department of Labor notified Maine’s congressional delegates Tuesday about the grant funds. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine, plan to hold additional meetings with the Eastern Pulp and Paper’s transition team.

The team’s goal is to further coordinate local, state and federal efforts to help the 750 workers who were displaced after the mills’ closure.

There will be a meeting of the transition team from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, March 24, at the Brewer Auditorium Seniors Room and from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 25, at the Region 3 School in Lincoln.