Georgia-pacific To Shutter Key Crossett Operations ‘indefinitely’

Talk Business has learned that Georgia-Pacific will "indefinitely suspend" its Crossett sawmill and a plywood sheet manufacturing facility – a move that could result in direct layoffs of 700 workers. The plant will shutter its operations on Nov. 7.

The layoffs don’t account for loggers and haulers in the region who supply the operations.

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific has had a history in Crossett since 1962 when it acquired Crossett Lumber Co. and 565,000 acres of timberlands. In addition to the plywood facility and sawmill, G-P also has a chemical plant and pulp & paper production plant in Crossett, where it employs about 2,100 workers. It has operations in Fordyce, Fort Smith and Gurdon, too.

Company officials tell Talk Business that weak market conditions, particularly in the housing and construction industry, were responsible for the decision.

Last year, Georgia-Pacific announced a $250 million investment in its Crossett pulp and paper plant. That investment will not be affected by today’s decision.

Talk Business will update this story later today.