Canton mayor says potential buyer showed interest in closed mill as AG sues Evergreen

Mayor Zeb Smathers told the Canton Town Board on May 23 that he and Interim Manager Stinnett met with a Spritas Worldwide executive about a possible purchase of the closed Pactiv Evergreen mill site and described the meeting as "very positive." Smathers also said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein has filed a lawsuit against Evergreen seeking recovery of about $12 million in grant funds the company allegedly failed to repay.

The remarks came during the mayor's opening comments at a special called meeting held at Town Hall. Smathers framed the Spritas meeting as exploratory and expressed optimism about the company's interest in the property. He added the conversation was part of broader efforts to respond to the economic effects of the mill closure.

The mayor did not present details of any formal offer or timeline for a sale. The town has discussed lost revenue from the mill closure elsewhere in the session and is preparing a conservative 2024–25 budget in response.

There was no presentation from Spritas Worldwide at the meeting, nor did town officials provide documents describing terms, contingencies or a formal purchase agreement. The board did not take any formal action related to the mill or authorize negotiations during the May 23 meeting.

The meeting also referenced a state lawsuit; Mayor Smathers said Attorney General Josh Stein "had filed a lawsuit against Evergreen to recover the $12 million dollars granted to Evergreen to keep the mill open and then breached that promise." The board did not discuss legal strategy, and Attorney Morgan was not present at the meeting.

Next steps were not announced. The town's immediate agenda focused on budget planning, capital project bids and routine municipal business during the May 23 session.