On August 21, nearly 1,100 workers in South Georgia learned they would be losing their job when International Paper announced its plans to permanently close the Savannah containerboard mill, the Savannah packaging facility, Riceboro containerboard mill and Riceboro Timber and Lumber.
Following the announcement, House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, pledged support for the individuals and communities impacted by the closure.
“This unexpected announcement was highly disappointing and will undoubtedly have detrimental consequences for not only the 1,100 International Paper employees directly impacted by the closures, but also the entire economy of Southeast Georgia,” said Burns, at the time of the announcement. “The Georgia Department of Labor currently estimates that three to four indirect job losses could occur for every direct job lost at the International Paper facilities.
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