'Community and town first': Prospective Canton paper mill buyer talks plans for the site

CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — The owner of Spirtas Worldwide, a company in the process of acquiring the Canton paper mill, spoke with News 13 about their plans for the site.

Spirtas Worldwide redevelops closed industrial sites and, according to their website, is one of the largest demolition firms in the United States.

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Eric Spirtas, Spirtas Worldwide President and CEO, said he was not able to give a clear picture of what the site will eventually become. He said there are many factors to consider in the redevelopment process.

"The Canton mill takes on a large canvas, so there's a lot of components to it," he said. "What I would say very clearly is the planning is in process."

In addition to demolition, the company specializes in other services, including environmental remediation, contracting services, and property development.

Spirtas said he has traveled from their St. Louis headquarters to Canton to look at the site "several times."

"It is not just a mill. There's areas that can be residential, there's areas that can be commercial, and there's areas that can be industrial," he said.

He said their acquisition of the site will create local jobs and investment in the area.

"We look to community and town first, what is best for the community and the town for the area and region," Spirtas said. "We will work with the main stakeholders in those areas to make sure that we are working locally, we are working regionally, and we are helping to fill the void."

Spirtas was aware of the strong legacy of the mill as a beacon for the town for over 100 years. He said his company would respect the history of the mill, which is so important to many Canton residents.

"We're not looking to go backward. We're looking at going forward. But maintaining the legacy, maintaining an awareness of the history that led to all the college educations that were earned there and graduations and the life transitions over 100 years," Spirtas said.

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"The Blue Ridge name needs to stay and continue and be remembered. History is important," he said.

Pactiv Evergreen, the current owner of the mill, confirmed the news of a letter of intent to sell the site on Wednesday. The mill shut down in June of 2023, eliminating around 1,000 jobs in the Canton area.