BLAKELY – Georgia-Pacific on Wednesday notified the 535 workers at its Cedar Springs containerboard mill that the Early County plant will closed later this year.
Most positions at the facility will be eliminated by Aug. 1, the company announced in a news release, with the remaining employees idled later this year. Production will continue for a limited time to fulfill commitments.
“Various factors influenced this difficult decision,” the company’s news release said. “Ultimately, we do not believe that the mill can competitively serve our customers in the long-term. This decision has nothing to do with the quality of work of Georgia-Pacific’s employees at the Cedar Springs mill.“
State Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, said the aging plant was built in the 1960s.
“They just can’t compete with India and China,” he said. “It’s going to be a big blow.”
In addition to the jobs lost at the plant, the lawmaker said the closure will have a significant impact on the local timber industry.
Since learning of the layoffs, Greene said he has contacted Gov. Brian Kemp and House Speaker Joe Burns, as well as representatives in Washington.
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