TOWNSEND, Ga. () – The closure of International Paper facilities in Savannah and Riceboro has sent shockwaves through Georgia’s timber industry, leaving suppliers scrambling to adapt.

Pierce Timber Company said about 20% of its business depended on the mills.

“It was complete shock,” said Brian Peacock, area manager for Pierce Timber. He said the loss means fewer loads for both loggers and truckers.

“We’ve actually had to let crews go and it not only affects those crews, but it also affects truck drivers. Each group has probably five or six trucks. So, you’re looking at least 15 to 20 trucks gone.”

The shutdown comes at a time when mills across Georgia were already at capacity.

“We’re already saturated. So, there wasn’t any opportunity to push more production to those places that were taking wood,” said Chad Nimmer, procurement forester for Pierce Timber.

Without those buyers, rural communities that rely on the timber economy from gas stations to small-town diners are also feeling the strain.

“The inevitable, if nothing changes and we can’t find new uses for this wood in the next generation of manufacturing, is more layoffs and a more suppressed labor force in rural Georgia,” Nimmer said.

State leaders said they are working to soften the blow. Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said Georgia is looking for new ways to market its wood products.

“We’re going to do everything in our power, working with all state leaders, to find ways to continue to allow our forestry industry to be successful and find new markets,” Harper said.

Georgia’s timber industry contributes billions of dollars to the state economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs, according to state forestry officials.

Georgia Pacific announced the closure of their Cedar Springs facility earlier this year. Furthermore, dozens of companies are still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
Despite the uncertainty, Peacock and Nimmer said Georgia still has the workforce, infrastructure and supply to keep the industry alive.