SKOWHEGAN — Sappi Fine Paper North America is investing $25 million on new equipment at the company’s Skowhegan wood yard in a show of faith in a troubled paper industry.

The mill’s managing director says the investment shows the South African company is committed to Maine for the long term. The move follows a $60 million investment in equipment and environmental safeguards put into the mill since 2011.

Maine’s longstanding papermaking industry has struggled in recent years. A mill in Madison was the fifth to close in the last two years when it shut its doors in May.

The Morning Sentinel (http://bit.ly/2anzsqo) reports work on Sappi’s project is expected to begin in October and continue for most of 2017. The company expects to add 50 to 100 temporary construction jobs during work.