Natchitoches Parish President John Salter announced at the end of the July 21 Parish Council meeting that there are entities exploring economic development opportunities that could bring industrial jobs back to the recently shuttered Campti Mill property. He informed Council members of ongoing conversations with these interested parties to repurpose the site for manufacturing paper goods made from agricultural byproducts such as cane and corn.

According to parish leadership, the potential operation would focus on producing paper-based items—like envelopes and liners—using materials typically discarded from local crop production. The company has indicated that the project could create jobs with starting salaries in the range of $85,000 to $86,000 per year.

A meeting with the company is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the parish government offices, to include City Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. Salter noted that the group behind the proposal has been in negotiations with the site’s former owners and expressed a strong interest in moving forward.

This initiative is one of several under discussion as parish leaders look to attract sustainable industries that can create high-paying jobs and make use of existing infrastructure.