For Immediate Release:

[Richmond, BC] – Paper Excellence announced today that it is donating $50,000 to the College of the Rockies to create a Paper Excellence student awards scholarship program. Over the next five years, ten $1,000 scholarship awards will be distributed each year.

Paper Excellence operates Skookumchuck Pulp mill which is located just north of Cranbrook and Kimberley in the East Kootenays. The awards are meant to encourage and recognize local youth with good academic achievement in high school who are enrolled in programs related to the operation of a pulp mill such as heavy-duty equipment technician, millwright, welder or engineer. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and a positive attitude, and/or financial need.

“We state in our Core Values that we are an economic pillar and a partner in our operating communities,” said Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety, and Corporate Communications. “Investing in young people and supporting the development of the local workforce lets us live that value by contributing to local prosperity and well-being through education. The College of the Rockies is well placed to provide this training with seven campuses in the region. It serves a regional population of close to 83,000 people and provides instruction to approximately 2100 full-time equivalent (FTE) students.”

“Generous contributions from donors like Paper Excellence are a pillar of our scholarship and bursary program,” said Deb Carty, College of the Rockies’ Vice President External Relations. “The Paper Excellence Scholarship is sure to have a tremendous positive impact on many College of the Rockies students over the next five years.”

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Paper Excellence, headquartered in British Columbia, is a diversified manufacturer of pulp and specialty, printing, writing, and packaging papers. The company operates seven mills and a large-scale cargo distribution centre in Canada producing and shipping over 2.8 million tonnes annually with a workforce of more than 2,800. Paper Excellence is poised to continue to grow with its strategy of operational excellence and high-quality, cost-effective products.

Media Contact: Graham Kissack, Vice President, Environment, Health & Safety and Corporate Communications | media@paperexcellence.com | Mobile: (250) 732-7991