After Great Northern Paper Company shut down in 2008, Maine’s Millinocket lost more than jobs; locals now look to tourism, small businesses and new industry for revival

After Great Northern Paper Company shut down in 2008, Maine’s Millinocket lost more than jobs; locals now look to tourism, small businesses and new industry for revival

Millinocket, Maine, once thrived around Great Northern Paper Company, but the mill’s 2008 closure transformed the community. In Peter Santenello’s exploration, longtime residents recall lost jobs, stability and a shared way of life, while local businesses and tourism offer hope. As the town seeks new industry, its resilient residents remain determined to rebuild.