A South Carolina recycling company says it's completed the purchase of a Transylvania County, SC, paper mill that closed a year ago during a protracted labor dispute.
The head of New Tech Environmental Inc. said that the company has finished buying the former RFS Ecusta plant in Pisgah Forest.
New Tech, which recycles plastic products for the automotive industry, came forward to buy the mill, which closed in August 2002.
New Tech, based in Fort Mill, S.C., has said it plans to restart the pulp mill and develop a business park of small manufacturing and retail stores.
"We have a lot of work to do before we can get the plant operating once more, but we have a lot of confidence that folks soon will hear the plant whistle blowing again," said Cliff Bell, who runs New Tech.
"We will start moving forward immediately," said Transylvania County Manager Artie Wilson. "We will work with Mr. Bell to make sure his business is a successful venture."
New Tech bought the former paper mill after conducting an investigation into the existing environmental conditions at the site and negotiating a satisfactory agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency.