YUMA, Ariz. (AP) -- County officials say they need more information before throwing support behind a California company's plan to build a paper mill in Yuma.

Allied West Paper Corp. of Fontana, Calif., is seeking Foreign Trade Zone benefits that would give it import and export tax advantages. But it needs a letter from county officials to get the benefits.

County Supervisor Lenore Stuart said she would have difficulty supporting this because she does not know the company well enough to make an endorsement now.

Stuart also said there are a lot of concerns about a paper mill. She cited the size of the plant, the fact that it uses a lot of water and that it may produce unpleasant odors.

Chris Camacho, president of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp., said that Allied plans to build a virgin paper mill that will not emit the sulfur smell nor produce the noise usually associated with traditional pulp mills.

Allied will turn market pulp into commercial tissue and napkins, he said.

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Information from: The Sun, http://www.yumasun.com

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