WA: G-P To Close Bellingham Operations in December

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Georgia-Pacific to Close Bellingham, Wash., Operations in December

9/5/2007

G-P has announced to employees in Bellingham, Wash., the tissue papermaking and converting operations there will be shut down permanently in December. More than 200 employees will be affected.

"The employees at Bellingham have maintained a strong commitment to safe operations and producing quality products," said Sean Fallmann. "Rising costs for energy, fiber, freight have had a significant impact on the long-term competitiveness of the mill. Part of G-P's strategy is having globally-competitive manufacturing assets."

http://mygp.srv.gapac.com/portal/site/g ... 57162d82a/

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Bellingham Herald

Tissue workers hopeful in spite of uncertainty
G-P to shut down mill Friday

12/16/07

JOHN STARK
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM — Georgia-Pacific tissue mill workers are wary but hopeful as they get ready to shut down the final remnant of an industry that has been an economic mainstay here for decades.

“The city of Bellingham grew up around that mill,” said Julian McAllister, 57, who has worked at G-P for 37 years. “I thought it would be here forever. … We were always going to need TP.”

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/255/story/264622.html

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Dec, 21, 2007

ECONOMY
G-P mill goes dark today
200 employees to say farewell

JOHN STARK
THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

BELLINGHAM — Georgia- Pacific Corp.’s 200 workers will gather at the tissue mill today after the final production shutdown to say goodbye and share a company- sponsored prime rib dinner.

Chip Hilarides, the company’s local general manager, said the dinner is a token of the company’s appreciation.
“Our employees have done a fantastic job here,” he said.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/269422.html

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Monday, June 23, 2008
Paper mill being torn down



Population growth has been crowding out Bellingham’s industry. GP cited electrical rates as one reason for closing the mill. Pacific Northwest had cheaper power from hydroelectric dams, but growth in demand means new power sources must be added. We've run out of good dam sites on rivers. Other sources of power tend to cost more. Dams cost more as we worry about fish.

Where will wood chips come from for making paper?

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