Senator Patricia Wiggins

July 16,2009

Robert Simpson, President
Freshwater Tissue Company
I TFC Drive
P.O. Box 248
Samoa, CA 95564

Dear Mr. Simpson,

I would like to express my strong support for Freshwater Tissue Company’s (FTC) plans to renew production of paper pulp at the Samoa mill facility and to develop a new tissue paper production plant at the same location. When realized. this innovmive strategy will directly restore more than 400 high paying production Jobs as well as indirectly generate as many as 2500 local and regional jobs.

Your plan to shift from an international marketing focus to a North Amertican based focus emphasizing the ‘green’ attributes of the product has great promise in an industry that is experiencing significant economic challenges. Additionally, the inclusion of a tissue production operation at the same site will further improve the potential for success by targeting a more specific marketing niche and avoiding direct competitIon with other less expensive bulk pulp manufacturers throughout the world.

It is a special precedent that the proposed FTC project has obtained a broad base of local and regional support including the County of Humboldt, the Humboldt Bay harbor, Conservation and Recreation District, labor unions, environmental organizations and key timber industry representatives. It is not otlen that a venture of this scale and scope could garner such broadly based endorsements.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to Join with many of my constituents in extending support tor this project. I congratulate FTC for having the vision and foresight to develop this plan and believe that it holds great potential for benefiting the economy of Humboldt County and the north coast region of the Second Senate District.

Sincerely

PATRICIA WIGGINS
Senator, 2nd District