Eastport Officials Learn from Domtar Closure

EASTPORT (NEWS CENTER) -- The port of Eastport has been shipping pulp and paper from Baileyville's Domtar mill for 30 years.

When the mill shut down for two months, port officials knew they had to begin diversifying so they wouldn't rely completely on the mill.

"We need to diversify. We need to get to other customers, we need to be in other markets otherwise we won't survive," said Skip Rogers, general manager of the Federal Marine Terminals in Eastport.

They are beginning to diversify by jumping into the alternative energy business. The port has begun taking shipments of wind mill parts from Brazil. While this helped during Domtar's closure, that work isn't as consistent or as labor intensive, and therefore not as profitable.

"A lot of the things we're looking at whether it be wood chips or pellets or other types of aggregates are going to rely on having automated bulk handling equipment so that is a number one priority for us to invest in," said Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority.

Port officials say that in order to properly diversify they need access to a railroad and the ability to efficiently handle bulk cargo. Legislators are working to pass a bond this November that would give the port of Eastport $4.5 million to construct an automated conveyer system. They say this is the first time in more than 10 years Eastport has asked for help.