International Paper’s efforts to reopen its Franklin mill continue, with the company announcing plans last week to hire more operators and maintenance workers.

Any news concerning efforts to reopen the former mill, which once employed 1,100, is good news.

IP in early August announced plans to begin hiring for its fluff pulp operations. Although the company did not say how many people applied for those jobs during the first round of hiring, 20 former employees were rehired for the jobs, which will pay $13.53 to $27.05 an hour. Those re-hired employees are expected to begin working again in early October.

Company officials plan to continue running advertisements during the hiring process until the 225 positions are filled.

For those who wish to apply for this latest round of positions, applications and resumes will be accepted at www.internationalpaper.com through Monday, Oct. 3. An electronic version of a resume must be included with the online application.

Anyone who needs assistance can go to the Regional Workforce Development Center at Paul D. Camp Community College.

So it sounds like the reopening of IP is a reality. That’s great news for Western Tidewater, and it’s reason for the people who live in the area to give thanks.