TH E CAROLINA PLUM,

o*nud and operateo by Andy and Maria Freeman, specializes in reloading and transporting wood products for companies wishing to penetrate the Southeast via the Carolinas.

Centrally located in North Carolina, The Carolina Plum (TCP) is only 45 miles from Charlotte, 135 miles from Asheville, 55 miles from Creensboro, and 130 miles from Raleigh. This prime location offers your company accessibility to markets in an area that is one of the hottest building spots in the U.S.

TCP has the ability to unload centerbeam railcars, flat bulkheads, and boxcars. TCP can also handle your transportation needs at a competitive price with prompt dependable service.

Service is the main part of our business at TCP. We encourage you to consider THE CAROLINA PLUM for your RELOAD and TRANSPORTATION needs.

Chatham Forest Products was to begin construction this spring, but the lawsuits have made investors nervous about the new plant.

One suit brought on by a group of residents who live near the 7O-acre proposed site appealed last year's dismissal of a federal lawsuit alleging that Chatham and the state Department of Environmental Conservation violated the Clean Air Act.

Meanwhile, Cancer Action N.Y., an environmental group, recently learned that the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court dismissed its appeal of a lower court ruling that affirmed Chatham's permit. The group plans to bring the matter to the Court of Appeals.

Chatham President John E. Godfrey said construction will not begin until a ruling comes down at Ieast in the state lawsuit.

County Legislature vice chairman Thomas A. Nichols still supports the project, despite the legal involvement.

While he believes the two groups have weak arguments against the air permit, Mr. Nichols says he understands why investors are apprehensive to get involved.

"I sure wouldn't invest money in that if I had the money. Would you? We're talking about some substantial dollars, much more than you or I have in our piggy banks," Mr. Nichols said. "I remain concerned, but I continue to receive assurances."

$60 Million Sawmill For Maine

An application for a $60 million high-efficiency lumber mill in Sapling Township, Me., has been filed with the Land Use Regulation Commission to rezone 300 acres for commercial and industrial use.

The proposed mill, under development from SMIS Group LLC, West Chester, Pa., is still in the early planning stages, but the 60-acre facility is estimated to produce 200 million bd. ft. of dimensional lumber per year.

John Simko, an associate of the developer, believes the mill would jump-start the state's economy, which suffers from high unemployment rates in both Somerset and Piscataquis counties. Over 100 jobs would be created, which Simko says will pay between $12 and $20 per hour.

Although the mill has yet to be approved, the Department of Transportation is already fixing area roads that would be used by logging trucks.

According to Simko, the township, located near the town of Greenville, was selected as the site for the facility for number of reasons, including the