The Grand Bassa Flour Mill, Once a Symbol of Productivity, Now Stands in Ruins

GRAND BASSA COUNTY: Tucked along the aging industrial stretch of the port city of Buchanan, the gigantic fragments of the once-famous National Milling Company, commonly known as the Flour Mill, stand as a haunting reminder of what used to be a hub of economic vitality in Grand Bassa County.

Established in 1971 and operated by the American-based Seaboard Corporation, the Flour Mill was one of Liberia’s leading agro-industrial assets, processing large volumes of flour and supporting a network of workers and surrounding businesses.

But after Seaboard’s exit in 1989 amid Liberia’s civil unrest, the mill’s machinery fell silent. Today, it lies abandoned, caught in a decades-long standstill due to a lack of willing investors.

To many residents, the Flour Mill is more than just an empty building—it represents lost jobs, missed opportunities, and a dream deferred. Despite its prime location and historical importance, multiple attempts to attract domestic and international investment have failed to materialize.

The mill could be the backbone of Buchanan again, said one resident. It would bring back jobs, create spin-off industries, and put Grand Bassa back on the economic map.

The lingering effects of Liberia’s turbulent past, coupled with infrastructure decay and bureaucratic challenges, have made it difficult to attract sustainable investment. While government officials have occasionally hinted at plans to revitalize the site, no concrete progress has been made.

As Liberia continues to chart its path toward economic recovery, many in Grand Bassa are calling for renewed focus on rehabilitating industrial landmarks like the Flour Mill. Community leaders hope that with better incentives, improved stability, and clearer investment frameworks, the mill might one day return to life.

Until then, the Flour Mill remains a towering symbol of Grand Bassa’s industrial promise—one that waits patiently for a second chance.