Canton’s Mill Site Makeover: A New Chapter for WNC Living
The former Pactiv Evergreen paper mill site along the Pigeon River in Canton NC is stepping into a bold new future, and that’s big news for anyone who cares about quality of life, clean water, and long-term economic strength across Western North Carolina.
Canton’s leaders have just approved a major land purchase that puts key pieces of the old mill property under town control. On the surface, it’s about buying land. In reality, it’s about securing wastewater infrastructure, shaping riverfront redevelopment, and sending a clear signal that this little mill town is ready for its next act.
From Mill Town to Mountain Hub
For more than 100 years, Canton’s paper mill was a defining landmark of life between Asheville and Waynesville. It powered paychecks, truck traffic, and timber jobs, and it loomed large in the skyline and the local culture. When the mill closed in 2023, the impact rippled far beyond Haywood County. Folks considering whether to relocate to Hendersonville or nearby communities watched closely—could this region reinvent itself yet again?
Now we’re starting to see the answer. In early 2025, Two Banks Development bought the 185-acre mill property, kicked off demolition planning, and began setting the stage for a new mix of uses. At the same time, Canton’s town government focused on one crucial piece: taking charge of wastewater treatment so future growth would be sustainable, not a strain.
The latest move? Canton will purchase roughly 52 acres on the west side of the Pigeon River from Two Banks, in two phases, to build a modern municipal wastewater treatment plant and unlock new economic potential on the remaining land.
Why This Matters for Water, Jobs, and the River
If you’re asking, “What’s it like living in Hendersonville or the surrounding small towns these days?” infrastructure probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But behind our breweries, downtown restaurants, and trailheads, there’s a quiet workhorse: water and sewer capacity. Canton’s mill deal is a great example of how smart infrastructure planning today supports vibrant communities tomorrow.
The purchase includes two primary pieces:
- The chip yard and warehouse (about 26 acres, closing by March 24): This is where Canton plans to build a new, modern wastewater treatment plant, designed to handle at least 2 million gallons per day.
- The existing wastewater treatment plant parcel (about 26 acres, closing by 2031): Once the new plant is up and running, the old facility can be decommissioned and reimagined, likely as greenway space and flood storage along the river corridor.
For years, the old mill’s treatment plant handled both industrial and municipal wastewater, essentially giving Canton nearly free sewage treatment. When the mill shut down, the town was suddenly depending on a privately owned facility. That’s not a recipe for long-term stability. By buying the chip yard and eventually the plant itself—funded entirely by state appropriations, not local tax dollars—Canton is putting core infrastructure back under public control.
For residents across the region, including those thinking about moving to Hendersonville and commuting or exploring these neighboring towns, this is encouraging. It signals that local leaders are planning for clean water, river health, and future growth instead of just reacting to crisis after crisis.
Greenways, River Views, and a Brighter Pigeon River
One of the most exciting aspects of this story is what might happen along the Pigeon River in the years ahead. Once the old wastewater plant is decommissioned later this decade, the town’s consultants envision turning that riverside space into greenway and flood storage.
Imagine this stretch of river a few years from now: instead of a heavy industrial complex, you could see walking and biking paths, more open space for high water events, and a safer, cleaner corridor for paddlers and anglers. If you already love the French Broad River near Hendersonville or Asheville, the Pigeon is quietly working its way into that same conversation as a revived mountain waterway.
Canton is also pursuing environmental protections through North Carolina’s Brownfields redevelopment program, which helps clean up historically industrial properties while shielding new owners from old contamination risks. Environmental liability insurance is in place through at least 2035, adding another layer of security for the town and for future developers.
For a deeper dive into Canton’s ongoing recovery and regional news, you can keep an eye on Smoky Mountain News, which has been covering the mill story from day one.
Light Manufacturing and Local Jobs: Back to Work, Smarter
Beyond water and greenways, there’s a big jobs story here. The deal doesn’t just give Canton a place for a new treatment plant; it also puts a nearly 150,000-square-foot distribution warehouse under town ownership. Local economic development leaders have already shown that space to potential tenants nearly 20 times in 2025 alone.
Mayor Zeb Smathers and his team are clear: the goal is to bring back good-paying manufacturing jobs, but in a way that works with today’s realities—not just repeat the past. That likely means:
- Light manufacturing and advanced production rather than heavy smokestack industry.
- Modern, energy-conscious operations that respect the river and regional resources.
- Partnerships with reputable employers who can expand the tax base and create local opportunity.
Recent moratoriums adopted by the town—first on broad industrial projects, then specifically on high-impact uses like mega data centers—show that Canton is serious about charting its own course. The message is: yes to growth, no to water-hungry, low-job-count projects that could compromise the river’s recovery.
For those exploring what it’s like living in Hendersonville, Waynesville, or any of our mountain communities, this kind of thoughtful planning is exactly what you want to see. Strong neighbors make for a stronger region.
Regional Ripple Effects for Hendersonville and Beyond
So how does all of this connect back to people weighing a move to Hendersonville or a relocation anywhere in Henderson County? Simple: these mountain towns rise and fall together. When Canton stabilizes its infrastructure and sets the stage for quality jobs and cleaner riverfronts, it supports a more resilient Western North Carolina economy.
That regional strength shows up in a lot of ways:
- More diverse job opportunities within a short drive of your home base in Hendersonville.
- Improved recreation options as rivers and greenways link across county lines.
- Greater appeal for remote workers and entrepreneurs who want small-town charm with real economic depth.
If you’re actively considering moving to Hendersonville and want to understand the broader picture, you might enjoy this overview of what it’s like living in Hendersonville, NC. Canton’s mill transformation is one more piece of that bigger story: a region steadily reinventing itself with an eye toward stewardship and smart growth.
Looking Ahead: Design, Funding, and a New Identity
The land purchase is just the beginning. Once the first closing is complete, engineering teams will dig into the design criteria for the new treatment plant. Canton plans to use a design-build approach to move quickly—important not only for environmental reasons, but also to be competitive for additional state and federal funding tied to infrastructure and economic redevelopment.
By the end of this decade, the west side of the old mill site could look dramatically different from the smokestacks and steam clouds many locals grew up with. Picture a clean, efficient treatment plant tucked into the landscape, a busy but human-scale manufacturing or logistics hub in the warehouse, and a future greenway winding along a healthier Pigeon River.
For anyone looking around Western North Carolina and asking, “Where is this region headed?” Canton’s mill site offers a hopeful answer. It’s proof that even after a major economic shock, small towns can chart their own destiny—with help from state partners, smart legal guidance, and an engaged community determined to do things the right way.
To track broader state-level redevelopment and infrastructure efforts that often shape projects like Canton’s, the North Carolina Department of Commerce is a handy resource worth bookmarking.
Whether you already call Hendersonville home or you’re just starting to explore a potential move to this corner of the Blue Ridge, keep watching the Pigeon River. Its story, and Canton’s, are being rewritten—and the whole region stands to benefit.