News Summary

Georgia-Pacific has officially closed its plywood plant in Emporia, impacting over 550 employees immediately. The closure is attributed to decreased demand for plywood amid rising home prices and low home sales. Employees had anticipated this closure, leading to uncertainty about their futures. With the local economy already facing challenges from previous job losses in the area, Georgia-Pacific is working with state leaders to provide job training and placement opportunities for affected workers. Efforts are ongoing to explore future operations at the facility.

Emporia, Virginia – Georgia-Pacific has officially closed its plywood plant in Emporia, a move that affects over 550 employees immediately. The announcement was made during meetings held on Friday morning, with employees learning that operations would cease effective immediately. While the plant’s operations are officially shut down, some employees may assist with the closure process until July 1. For now, affected employees will continue to receive pay and benefits for a period of 60 days following the announcement.

The decision to close the plant was attributed to a significant decline in the demand for plywood, heavily impacting the construction and remodeling sectors. Contributing factors included rising home prices and a 30-year low in existing home sales, which have led to a downturn in the market that supplies wood products. Since it first opened in the late 1960s, many of the employees have dedicated years of service to the plant.

Inside the plant, employees had suspected a closure might be on the horizon, creating an atmosphere of concern and uncertainty about their futures. Employees shared their fears regarding personal challenges ahead, particularly in light of family responsibilities. The worker community at the plant has been described as tight-knit, with recent moments outside the facility resembling a family reunion as they processed the impact of the closure.

This shutdown marks yet another significant employment blow to the region, following the closure of the Boar’s Head deli meat plant in nearby Jarratt in September 2024. That closure was the result of a food poisoning outbreak that triggered job losses. The local economy, comprising a population of approximately 5,700, faces substantial hardships due to these layoffs. Predictions indicate that the region may be “crippled” by the impact of the dual job losses.

In light of the closure, Georgia-Pacific is working closely with local and state leaders to support initiatives aimed at helping the affected workforce. The Virginia Secretary of Labor has announced that the Rapid Response team is actively engaging with employees to provide job training and placement opportunities. The company has indicated a commitment to assist employees in finding new job opportunities as quickly as possible.

Efforts are also underway regarding the future of the facility and the property post-closure. There has been some interest from other companies looking into potential operations at the site, which may offer a glimmer of hope for the local economy in the future.

Before this closure, Georgia-Pacific employed approximately 1,150 workers across the state of Virginia and remains a leading manufacturer and distributor of various products, including plywood and paper goods. The loss of over 550 jobs in Emporia is likely to have a lasting impact on the community and the regional economy.