Premier Darrell Dexter says the province is in discussion with Bowater Mersey on a potential assistance package. However, officials are facing a January 1st deadline to come up with a savings package that Resolute Forest Products will have to accept in order to keep the mill open. Dexter spoke about the potential deal during a closed door meeting with almost all of the South Shore's mayors and wardens in Liverpool last week. He told reporters before the meeting that the province doesn't want a band-aid solution for the mill. "We want to look for technologies that will be more energy efficient which of course yields a benefit over the long term. These are the kinds of things we want to look for, we want to make sure the plant isn't just sustainable for a year - but over the longer term,". The Region of Queens Municipality extended an olive branch to the company last week as well, council approved a 10 year-deal that will lower taxes for the mill by $135,000 annually. The Board of Directors at Resolute will ultimately decide the future of the mill in December.
