Governor O'Malley Tours NewPage Corporation
O’Malley Meets with Employees at Allegany County’s Largest Employer
LUKE, MD (April 12, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today toured NewPage Corporation’s paper plant, Allegany County’s largest employer, and visited with the company’s management team and employees to learn more about the company.
The Governor was joined by Senator George Edwards, Delegate Wendell Beitzel, Commissioners Jim Stakem, Bob Hutcheson, Dale Lewis, Denny Glotfelty, Ernie Gregg, Fred Holliday; NewPage representatives Gary Curtis, Patsy Koontz, Bill Hoffmann, Vic Prioetti, and Paul Yearling; and union representatives Tom Caldwell, President of Local 676 USW and Fred Hamilton, 1st Vice President of Local 165 IBEW.
“NewPage has been a great partner with the State of Maryland working to expand opportunity for our families in Allegany and Garrett Counties and our entire State. Finding ways to stay competitive to keep these jobs in Maryland is one of our top priorities,” said Governor O’Malley. “We have tremendous opportunities in Maryland to bring about sustainable growth for our industries through collaboration between the private and public sectors, and I look forward to continuing to work with NewPage to create more opportunities for Maryland’s families.”
Established in 1888, NewPage Corporation’s Luke operation employs over 950 employees, making it the largest manufacturing operation in both Allegany and Garrett counties. Working to further deepen Maryland’s pool of already highly skilled workforce, NewPage is currently involved in the initial stages of a partnership with Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development on a Maryland Industrial Training Program grant.
“The Commissioners and I are pleased that the Governor came to visit Western Maryland,” said Allegany County Commissioner James Stakem. “The Governor kept his promise to make a trip out here as soon as session was over, and he has kept his word. We are also delighted that Governor O’Malley is visiting one of Western Maryland’s largest employers and supports saving jobs here.”
