Hazen Paper Reopens Housatonic Mill

Staff reportsiBerkshires
01:28PM / Friday, October 24, 2008Print Story | Email Story

Rep. William 'Smitty' Pignatelli, D-Lenox, speaks at ribbon-cutting ceremony. With him are Gov. Deval Patrick, left, and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield.

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Gov. Deval Patrick joined local officials to mark the reopening of the former Rising Paper mill in Housatonic on Thursday.

The century-old building and its 15 acres on Route 183 was purchased by Hazen Paper Co. of Holyoke last month for $785,000.

The 83-year-old, family-owned business has been expanding in sales and work force, with four locations and 200 employees. The shuttered Rising Paper mill is the latest acquisition for the growing company. Hazen plans to produce multi-ply laminated sheets used in packaging and other applications at the mill.

The reopening was good news to South County, which has seen a number of paper producers close over the last few years. Rising Paper was one of group of mills sold by Fox River Paper Co. in spring 2007 to Neenah Paper Co. of Georgia, which promptly closed the facility and put more than 100 out of work.

While Hazen's short-term employment forecast is modest — less than a dozen workers — the facility allows for future growth.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

the company spends $750,000 for this mill and then they layoff 28 people at there main plant, including pay cuts for senior operators. this is completely unfair. John Hazen is running this company into the ground.
from:	on: 02-05-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (3)

very disappointing hazen should be ashamed
from:	on: 02-09-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (3)

This is a sincere disappointment! I am happy for the dozen or so employees that have gainful employment, but this is far too little. I remember this facility very well. I was involved with a number of environmental engineering up-grades to meet the requirements of the State of MA and Housatonic River. I loved this mill, and while under the Fox River banner, they made fantastic products. The people of the mill were always very helpful and more than willing to assist in making the mill more eco friendly and commercially competitive. I am disappointed that the recent changes have transpired. Had I known that the mill was for sale, under these terms, I would have given my last dime to insure the mill would not come to the fate that is sure to come with the current grade structure and management mindset. I apologize for my late response, I have moved to the Southern U.S. to manage the region for a multinational company and lost touch with my routes-please forgive me. Many Management and Hourly personnel would remember quite clearly. When the mill goes up for sale again, (and it will) let me know and my wife and I will do our dandiest to make it happen. This is a truly historic paper manufacturing facility (that's in the school books) that should be restored to its former glory! It can be profitable in todayâ€™s market, at full capacity, as it used to be. This is possible in todayâ€™s economic climate, I know! B.M.P A Career Paper Maker and Engineer
from: Brian P.	on: 05-31-2009 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

State Plans 2026 Construction Start for Holmes Road Bridge

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:38PM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The state Department of Transportation plans to begin construction on the structurally deficient Holmes Road bridge this year.

The structure between Cooper Parkway and Pomeroy Avenue closed on Wednesday so that a signal can be installed for one-lane traffic beginning next week.

"While the timeline for repairs is still being finalized, MassDOT aims to advertise this project for bids this summer, with construction set to begin later this year," John Goggin, MassDOT communications analyst, said via email on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the city notified residents that the bridge on Holmes Road, a well-traveled route, will be reduced to one lane indefinitely beginning March 2.

Following a partial load rating analysis, MassDOT recommended that the city close the state-owned bridge with a plan to reopen it with an alternating one-way traffic pattern, Goggin reported.

It's the third bridge in the Berkshires that's been downgraded in the past month: The Red Mills bridge in Clarksburg is set to be replaced with a temporary bridge, and the Park Street bridge in Adams has had weight restrictions placed on it.

Two years ago, a bridge farther down the road over the rail line on Holmes reopened after a partial closure since 2019 and a full closure of more than 60 days.

The bridge over the Housatonic is identified as being structurally deficient by the state based on an inspection last October. Built in 1962, the 35-foot steel-and-concrete span has an overall condition of 4, or poor.