North Carolina’s new Attorney General, Jeff Jackson, visited Canton to address a major issue involving Pactiv Evergreen, the company that closed a local mill despite receiving a $12 million economic development grant from the state.
This closure, which occurred in 2023, breached the agreement that required the company to keep the mill running through 2024. Jackson emphasized that the state intends to retrieve the grant money, with some of it allocated to the General Assembly.
Jackson made it clear that his office will continue pursuing the case, warning that a new administration will not deter legal action.
The state has scheduled a trial, though Jackson mentioned the possibility of mediation before proceeding to court.
Canton’s mayor, Zeb Smathers, highlighted the importance of the funds for local services, stating that the closure of the mill severely impacted the town’s economy.
Jackson also used the visit to warn residents about potential scams related to Hurricane Helene disaster relief, including price gouging and fraudulent claims of special access to funds.
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