Political promises aside, residents need financial support, Canton mayor says

CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — Since the announced closure of Pactiv Evergreen, the paper mill in Canton, politicians have been rallying around the small community in hopes of bringing new opportunities to the area.

On June 1, two politicians addressed Western North Carolina crowds on the same day, at the same time – with the same goal: supporting Canton residents.

Congressman Chuck Edwards hosted the 'Canton Strong – Looking Forward' forum at Pisgah High School.

“The closure of this mill is one of the most tragic events that’s ever happened in Western North Carolina,” Edwards said.

WATCH: AFTER MORE THAN 100 YEARS, CANTON PAPER MILL BLOWS FINAL WHISTLE

The forum featured Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant. Hinnant discussed his city’s bounce-back after a mill closure in 2003, which resulted in the single largest mass layoff in state history.

“When those people were up there with tears dropping off their chin, telling me all the problems that they had they couldn’t pay their mortgage, they didn’t have any insurance to go get their medicines watching those people go through that changed my life,” Hinnant said.

Twelve miles away, Rep. Caleb Rudow led a town hall at Enka-Candler Public Library.

“This is really a kind of natural disaster – that’s the whole government approach to fix that. That means the General Assembly and representatives are trying to do whatever they can to support the town the water treatment plant, the workers and whatever comes next,” Rudow said.

'WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS,' CANTON MAYOR SAYS AS MILL'S FINAL WHISTLE SET TO BLOW THIS WEEK

Town hall participants, including State Sen. Julie Mayfield, discussed government support for mill workers and surrounding businesses from all levels of government.

“We’re hoping to get a $42 million package at the state level to support the county and the town and the school system. Representative Edwards is trying to get funding from the federal level to help to contribute to the wastewater plant,” Mayfield said. “From the regional level, it’s not so much money as it’s support services – particularly in terms of employment and reemployment and job training.”

These legislators all highlighted the need for new opportunities in Canton following Pactiv Evergreen’s closure. The 100-plus-year-old business shutdown is leaving more than 1,000 people without jobs.

RIPPLE EFFECTS ON ECONOMY FROM PACTIV EVERGREEN PAPER MILL CLOSURE ESTIMATED TO BE $500M

The impact on the small town is large, and political promises will not keep Canton afloat, Smathers said.

“We will continue to welcome Democrats and Republicans, any elected official, if you show up not just willing to talk, but give us the resources we need to succeed,” Smathers said. “This has to give way to action, especially providing us money and resources.”

According to Smathers, the final shift at the mill will end on Thursday, June 8. The final whistle blew at the mill on May 24, and no more steam will be emitted from the mill’s iconic stacks after June 1, Smathers said.