Alabama paper plant, town's leading employer with 1,100 workers, closing due to lower demand

"International Paper, the largest employer in Lawrence County, will close its Courtland (Ala.) plant by early next year, leaving 1,100 workers jobless," Lucy Berry reports for the Alabama Media Group. "The decision to close International Paper, a paper mill built in 1971 with an annual production capacity of 950,000 tons, was finalized Tuesday afternoon during a board of directors meeting. The mill will be shut down in stages, with full closure expected by the end of the first quarter of 2014." (Alabama Media Group photo by Mary Sellers: International Paper Company)

A press release from the paper mill states that the demand "for uncoated freesheet in North America has been in decline since 1999 and has recently accelerated as consumers continue to switch to electronic alternatives such as online publications and electronic billing and filing." Printing and Communications Papers Senior Vice-President Tim Nicholls said in a statement: "We explored numerous business and re-purposing options for the Courtland Mill, but concluded that permanently closing the mill best positions the business for the future." (Read more)