We join Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers in his enthusiasm over — and great expectations for — the future possibilities for his town after the sale was finalized for Canton’s iconic former paper mill, as confirmed by the buyer, Spirtas Worldwide, in a press release on Jan. 10.

The purchase, thankfully, marked the end of a legal battle over the sale and a much-needed bright future for the historic mill. 

The company said the massive 185-acre property will be converted into a mixed industrial, commercial and residential site.

In confirming finalization of the mill sale in its June 10 release, Spirtas Worldwide and Two Banks Development noted that the company has been “diligently working over the past seven months to formalize and complete this complex transaction.”

After Tropical Storm Helene wreaked havoc in Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, just as the mill purchase was to be completed, the company failed to finalize the deal, after which it was sued in October, limiting the buyer’s ability to have insurance underwriters visit damages on the site along the Pigeon River in Haywood County.

In December, Eric Spirtas, president and owner of Spirtas Worldwide, was quoted as saying that his firm was “ready to close” on the mill. 

In answer to the prayers by many in Canton, in particular, and Western North Carolina, in general, the company... finally... completed the deal.

In the release, Spirtas said, “Our vision is to breathe new life into this dormant site, transforming it into a hub of industrial, commercial, and residential activity that will benefit the town of Canton and strengthen commerce in the area. We are committed to collaborating with local, regional and national experts to develop a master plan that reflects the best ideas and concepts for sustainable growth.”

The mill was established in 1908 by the Champion Fibre Company and served as a crucial regional employer until it closed in May 2023. 

In the time it operated, the mill changed hands several times, eventually being purchased by Evergreen Packaging, which merged into Pactiv Evergreen in 2020. 

It was announced in December that Pactiv Evergreen would be sold to the Charlotte-based Novolex in a transaction worth $6.7 billion.

Meanwhile, the mill’s buyer, Spirtas Worldwide, performs industrial demolition, environmental remediation, redevelopment and other services around the world, according to its website. 

We can’t wait to see the dynamic plans for the mill property that Spirtas turns into reality in resilient Canton, a place proudly nicknamed “Papertown.”