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Rep. Ron Kind Announces Trade Adjustment Assistance for Wisconsin Rapids Verso Paper Mill Employees

Press Release

By: Ron Kind
By: Ron Kind
Date: Sept. 25, 2020
Location: La Crosse, WI
Issues: Labor Unions Government Budget and Spending Federal, State and Local Relations

Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced that a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) application was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor for the workers at the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids.

"The closure of the Verso paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids left so many workers and families facing an uncertain future through no fault of their own. That's why from day one, I've been working alongside Verso employees and industry and labor leaders to help support workers and the Wisconsin Rapids community," said Rep. Ron Kind. "TAA approval is welcome news and will provide crucial relief to these hardworking employees in the form of training and assistance with health care costs. I am proud of the collaborative efforts to secure TAA designation and I will continue to support Wisconsin Rapids and Verso employees as they chart a path forward and build back stronger than ever."

Since Verso Corporations announced plans to idle the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill in June, Rep. Kind has worked with state, local, and federal officials, industry and labor representatives, and Verso employees to develop a plan for the future of the mill and to provide support for the employees and their families. Rep. Kind has taken steps to provide additional job training services for those looking for new employment opportunities and has worked with the Evers Administration to try to find a new buyer for the mill. Additionally, last month Rep. Kind sent a letter to Senate leadership urging an extension of federal unemployment assistance to help keep Wisconsin workers affected by the Verso paper mill closure afloat.

In August, Rep. Kind lead a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia in support of the TAA petition filed on behalf of workers at the Verso paper mill. TAA will be critical in providing the nearly 900 Verso employees with the support they need and the resources to secure future employment opportunities.


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