Paper Mill in Port Hudson partially shutting down

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Georgia Pacific is announcing this morning it will close the communications paper division of its Port Hudson facility, as well as the wood yard, pulp mill and energy complex that support it.

The closure, effective in mid-March, will result in the layoff of some 650 workers at the plant, as well as the elimination of an additional 40 to 50 related sales and business positions companywide.

The local facility’s consumer tissue and towels division, which employs 300, will remain in operation but will rely on purchased pulp as its feedstock.

A Georgia Pacific spokesman says the decision is not a reflection of the local facility’s performance but is in response to changing market conditions and slowing demand for copy and office paper. “The company ultimately decided that the required investment to sustain the operation long term, coupled with that declining market is just not viable,” says Kelly Ferguson, Georgia Pacific senior director of public affairs and communications.

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Paperless society taking jobs away I guess. I know our office uses a lot less paper than we did just a few years ago.

Side topic: It always amazes me, how large geographically EBR parish is. There is a significant amount of land north of even Zachary that is still part of the parish. I always comment on this when I'm driving to St. Francisville.