Berlin, New Hampshire - January 30, 2012
Hundreds of jobs are coming to our region. A new federal prison is hiring and it's helping to breathe new life into an area that's been bleeding jobs for years.
Chris Dubey buys a slice of pizza at a Main Street hangout. The 34-year-old has spent most of his life in Berlin. "We have taken a hit recently with regards to the economy and we have gone through some tough times, but things are looking up," he said.
One reason for that is the new federal prison. Our cameras are not allowed on the property, but here's a glimpse of what it looks like. It will eventually be staffed with more than 300 employees. "You know our goal is to get as many people working as we can," said Les Glover with NH Works.
The local unemployment office is now trying to find those workers and is getting help from White Mountains Community College. Information sessions about the job opportunities are ongoing. "We are working with the college to promote the jobs at the prison. They are looking to hire about 250, 260 from the local area," Glover said.
But it's not just the potential at the federal prison that is bringing positive news to this community. A former paper mill is being turned into a bio-mass plant. Just another example of Berlin trying to reinvent itself. "Berlin, I think it's redefining itself. With the opening of the federal prison, which took a very long time to happen and the biomass plant coming back. It seems as though a lot of our resources are being put to good use," Dubey said.
Another sign of life--smoke rising from the stacks at the Paper Mill in nearby Gorham. New owners have a new focus on tissue. Officials say more jobs could be coming there as well.
It's a region that's been bleeding jobs ever since several pulp and paper companies shut down shop. "The economy in this particular part of the state has been on life support for four or five years since the mills closed," said Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier.
Grenier also sells cars. He says more jobs means more opportunity for both his business and others throughout the region. "Berlin is on the upswing. We have a lot of good things happening and I'm very, very, very excited about Berlin's future. It hasn't been this bright in a long long time," he said.
A community dubbed "The City That Trees Built" is now transitioning into the 21st century.
