MERRITT, BC — The recent closure of Merritt’s last standing mill has been described as a “devastating” hit to the community. In June, AP Group announced the closure of its Aspen Planers mill in the small town. …Bruce Rose confirmed that roughly a hundred direct jobs have been affected by the mill closure. …Although AP Group has other facilities in Savona and Lillooet and even a biomass plant in Merritt, Rose says the impacts to former employees and the community will be significant. “It’s just very sad for people, for all of these rural, forest dependent communities, it’s devastating. And the industry doesn’t need to be like this,” he said. …As for the 100 or so employees without work, Rose said “it’s a real mixed bag” that included a few who were offered and accepted jobs in Savona while others are considering retirement.