Statement Regarding The International Paper Mill Closure in Campti, LA

The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) are working together to address the short- and long-term impact of International Paper’s Red River Mill closure in Campti, which was announced Feb. 13 and takes effect by the end of April.

LWC is committed to helping employees get back to work as quickly as possible by providing access to Rapid Response services at no cost to both employers and employees, and offering essential support during workforce transitions. Orientation sessions will be scheduled in the near future to provide dislocated workers with the resources they need to find new employment quickly. Among the topics these sessions will cover:

• Local job market trends
• Career assessments
• Resume writing and job search assistance
• Career counseling
• Job search workshops
• Training opportunities
• Unemployment insurance guidance

“We understand that right now people are feeling uncertain about their future,” LWC Secretary Susana Schowen said. “Please be assured that help is on its way.”

LED is providing longer-term support by aggressively expanding the pipeline of potential projects aimed at creating thousands of new jobs all across the state. The Business Development team currently is working more than 175 projects representing $107.5 billion of potential capital investments in Louisiana. Among them are a number of wood products companies evaluating sites in North and Central Louisiana for projects that would result in more than 2,100 new jobs.

In addition to those prospective projects, LED has recently announced 12 major economic development project wins in North Louisiana that are expected to create more than 5,600 new jobs in the coming months and years, in sectors ranging from technology to manufacturing to energy innovation. Six of those are expansion projects that will retain nearly 1,500 existing jobs.

“The closure of IP’s Red River Mill is a reminder that change is a constant, even for legacy companies like International Paper,” LED Sec. Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Keeping our pledge to create thriving regions means keeping our project pipeline filled with potential new investments, so that as the fortunes of individual companies change, communities continue to grow. Together with our local and regional partners, LED is doing that.”

Resources:

• To be notified about upcoming Louisiana Workforce Commission job fairs, events and immediate statewide job openings: LAWorks.net.
• To explore potential employers for displaced workers: GoNatchitoches.com.
• To explore careers with LED partner companies across the state, searchable by industry, company and region: Opportunities.LEDFastStart.com.
• Event Information: The Louisiana Workforce Commission will be hosting reemployment assistance events on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 in Campti and Natchitoches from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. LWC Mobile Workforce Units will be at both locations. We are asking that the displaced workers fill out a survey prior to attending (not mandatory).
• Access survey here.