PORTLAND — The corporation that owns two Maine paper mills is no longer discussing a merger with the company that owns a Rumford mill.

Verso Paper Corp. says it has ceased merger discussions with NewPage Corp.

Verso President and CEO David Paterson said in a statement Wednesday that the Memphis, Tenn.-based company will focus on “internal growth projects and other potential strategic alternatives.” Verso operates mills in Jay and Bucksport in Maine, and in Quinnesec, Mich.

Ohio-based NewPage did not support Verso’s discussions, announced in July.

NewPage, which operates mills in Rumford, Maine, as well as five other states and Nova Scotia, last month filed a Chapter 11 restructuring plan with U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.


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