MILLINOCKET — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he remains optimistic a buyer can be found for two shuttered papers mills in Millinocket and East Millinocket.

The Governor’s Office says it has convinced the current owner of the mills, Brookfield Asset Management, to hold off on liquidating the plants’ equipment for 90 days.

LePage met for about an hour on Tuesday with leaders from the two communities at the Millinocket Municipal Building.

The Bangor Daily News says that other than to say he remains optimistic, LePage wouldn’t comment on potential buyers.

The East Millinocket mill closed its doors a few weeks ago after a deal to sell it and the Millinocket paper mill fell through. The Millinocket mill has been closed since in 2008.