Umoe Solar isn’t planning on operating the Blackville mill

Although some people have heard rumours, Umoe Solar isn’t planning on opening the former UPM mill in Blackville. Right now, Umoe Solar does not believe it is viable for them to re-open the mill, but they haven’t made any other plans for it yet. “I don’t think there’s any chance we can re-open that one,…

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Blackville developing rural plan

It’s a village with a stable population base and development largely in the form of single family homes. These are some of the initial findings of a rural plan for Blackville. The planning advisory committee has discussed population growth, size and age distribution as it forms a plan for the future. It’s also reviewed residential,…

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Blackville mill closure puts 60 out of work

The Blackville Lumber sawmill has closed indefinitely, throwing 60 people out of work, and the company that owns the mill says the government could help determine whether it reopens. Finnish paper giant UPM owns the mill in Blackville. Mayor Glen Hollowood says most residents make a living off of the surrounding woodland. The last shifts…

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UPM to reopen Blackville sawmill

UPM Miramichi will reopen its Blackville sawmill operation, Blackville Lumber on Monday, bringing back all 55 employees. The mill, which makes random length lumber for housing framing, temporarily closed in December. Paul Orser, UPM Miramichi’s woodlands manager, said the reasons are clear why the sawmill had to temporarily close. “We’re in amongst the worst lumber…

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ValuFoods opens in Blackville

Residents of Blackville and surrounding areas have a new grocery store to meet all their shopping needs. ValuFoods, an associate of Co-op Atlantic, opened for business recently on Main Street in Blackville. This week, the store is celebrating with a grand opening week. A ceremony was held Monday and events included a ribbon cutting, numerous…

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Blackville Lumber gets $2.6M upgrade to boost efficiency

A $2.6-million investment now allows Blackville Lumber to get 10 per cent more lumber from raw sawlogs. UPM-Kymmene Miramichi Inc., which owns the sawmill in Blackville, took about two months to install a new curve saw edger at the mill. The equipment scans the log better than the human eye, positions it for the best…

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A small village with big heart

Amber McCormack hasn’t missed many of daughter Kathy’s hockey games over the past 20 years or so. And she didn’t like the idea of not being there next month when her eldest child took to the ice in Nagano, Japan as a member of the Canadian women’s Olympic hockey team. Now, Mrs. McCormack isn’t one…

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