Wisconsin Rapids Prepares for a New Future at Former Verso Mill Site
Read more on the Former Verso Mill becoming an Industrial Hub...
The former Verso pulp and paper mill complex in Wisconsin Rapids will begin the transition to redevelopment as an industrial park for a variety of businesses with the signing of a demolition permit for some closed paper-making facilities by the city in September.
Several existing paper facilities related to former uses will remain in place, including a Sunoco wastewater facility, the ND Paper mill, and a paper converting operation owned by Billerud (which bought the Verso Corporation and closed the pulp and Wisconsin Rapids pulp and paper mill in June 2020).
The former craft/pulp mill will go through asbestos removal, concrete recycling, and demolition by the MRD group, which will take about 18 months to complete, according to city officials. A separate remaining building (#16) will likely be repurposed. The equipment contained in that building is being marketed by CRG, a capital equipment resale company.
After the process, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher said there will be a site of about 250 acres with available strengths including strong electrical and rail infrastructure.
Zacher told interviewer Michael Leischner from local radio station WDEZ that diversification of job opportunities in a new industrial park is a key goal in the creation of economic opportunities on the historic mill site.
