Iconic Freeport Mill to See New Life After Fire

FREEPORT - A historic Freeport business is rising out of the ashes.

Swany White Flour Mill is newly under construction after going up in flames on December 27th, 2011.

Freeport City Clerk Victoria Holthaus says owner Gary Thelen was granted a building permit for the site on May 31st, and the rebuilding process began two weeks ago.

The single-story building is expected to cost $150,000. It will include spaces for manufacturing, storage, retail and offices.

Holthaus says the construction is expected to last through the summer months, with the mill tentatively opening in early autumn.

Thelen could not be reached for comment.

Originally built in 1903, Swany White Flour Mill was producing over 700,000 pounds of flour, oatmeal and other products every year, using much of it's original equipment.