CANTON, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A deal to buy the abandoned Pactiv Evergreen paper mill site is progressing, Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers said.

Pactiv Evergreen closed the mill in June 2023, eliminating about 1,000 jobs and dismantling the smokestacks that dominated the skyline above the town of about 4,400 for decades.

As town officials and residents stood strong and vowed to bounce back, Spirtas Worldwide offered what might be a lifeline when it signed a letter of intent to purchase the Pactiv Evergreen property about two months ago.

The Spirtas Worldwide website said the company specializes in industrial demolition, remediation and asset purchases.

“Conversations are continuing to happen,” Smathers said Tuesday. “I have no reason to believe Spirtas will not be purchasing the property.”

IDLED CANTON PAPER MILL HAS A PROSPECTIVE BUYER

Smathers said Eric Spirtas had been in Canton quite often since making an offer on the property.

“I’ve had many meetings with him and his team. They’ve been on the ground more often than not,” Smathers said. “In fact, I’ve seen Eric Spirtas and his team more than I’ve ever seen the corporate brass of Evergreen, and I appreciate that.”

The mayor said he doesn’t know what Spirtas has planned for the site, but the possibilities are “vast.”

“Every opportunity exists on that mill, especially after parts of it are cleaned up. The opportunities are vast on it emerging from this as something special, not just for Haywood County but this entire area,” Smathers said.

AG SUES PACTIV EVERGREEN OVER ‘CUT AND RUN’ FROM CANTON MILL

Spirtas confirmed via email in May the company had signed an exclusive letter of intent to purchase Pactiv Evergreen’s site in Canton.

“Spirtas has extensive experience in industrial redevelopment and environmental cleanup with manufacturing plants and industrial facilities, including multiple former paper mills. We are committed to operating safely and responsibly and recognize the site’s importance to the local community. We’ve already met with Canton officials and look forward to a smooth transition as we invest to support the region’s economic development goals,” Spirtas said via email at the time.

The sale is pending due diligence and final negotiations.

A sale price has not been released.

Attempts to reach Pactiv Evergreen officials for comment have been unsuccessful.