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A new Arizona sawmill opened Monday west of Flagstaff after two years of planning. Newpac Fibre, LLC opened its sawmill in Williams at the location of a former sawmill site that closed in 1995.

The company is bringing back an industry that died decades ago to a town that now mostly relies on tourism traffic. This resurgence is not only a sign of economic growth in the area, but also signifies a priority by the Forest Service and state to reduce fire damage by thinning forests. “We’re excited to come in, bring this industry here, combine that with the social mandate to have these forests thinned,” said Newpac CEO Chris Stephan.

Wood sawed at the mill is used for paneling, flooring, doors and other building materials. What doesn’t get used is chopped into mulch for landscaping and renewable energy fuels.

Unlike some mills in northern Arizona, Newpac plans to employ mostly locals. “We’ve tried to keep every aspect from our purchasing, our employment and just our whole business strategy as local as possible,” Stephan said.

The mill currently has 10 workers, about half of whom are veterans. It hopes to employee 50 people by 2015. The company will provide full-time jobs with livable wages year-round, said Stephan. Sawmill employees will receive a starting wage of $12 per hour with full benefits.

From AZCentral.com: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2014/09/17/new-sawmill-brings-jobs-to-williams/15800605/