STAR JOURNAL

Two Rhinelander Expera Specialty Solutions employees recently traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Pulp and Paperworkers’ Resource Council (PPRC) to share their concerns and issues with members of the House, Senate and administration. The PPRC is a grassroots organization representing the interests of the nation’s pulp, paper, solid wood products and other natural resource-based workers.

“Communities around the country need the types of good-paying jobs that forest products manufacturing provides, whether it’s making paper, building products, bath tissue or boxes, [they are] products Americans use every day,” said David Wise, PPRC chairman. “The PPRC believes that our elected and government officials need to protect the environment while at the same time support the global competitiveness of the U.S. paper and wood products industry. Overly burdensome regulations and legislation ultimately hurt the U.S. workers we represent and the communities where we live, work and play.”

The forest products industry represents more than four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP and employs about 900,000 people – man in small, rural communities. The industry generates wages of approximately $50 billion and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states.