Recovery? Not for the people around Franklin Virginia! The paper mill was the one industry. It closed, evidently with no notice. We heard the word "rioting" from a friend who works with the mill. We have no confirmation. If this is recovery we are all fools! That mill was the region's economy. A whole region in Virginia now goes under. I can not begin to imagine the fall out from this. There is another mill in West point. I believe it is the same company. If it is closed as well this is big time depression not recovery! More below.
UPDATE: I forgot to add that environmentally better sources for paper than trees have been around for some time. These owners knew that, saw it coming, and did nothing to prepare people for this. They are criminals!
SECOND UPDATE: Thanks to all who have found links and posted them below. As far as I can tell the company had this in mind for some time and sprang it today. I don't see that much changes because it was an inevitable closing. The people were still not treated well. The economic impact is open to debate but certainly not trivial. Numbers alone are no indicator of the pain being caused there.
How much more will the people take? This is insane. The capitalist system has broken and is not able to be repaired. Yes the fat cats are still beyond real harm to them. meanwhile the people who made them rich are being discarded. Stop this and stop it now! Write, call, e-mail your representatives and DEMAND that they go into emergency session to make provision for these people and all the others that are being thrown to the wolves. This is not recovery! I repeat this is not recovery! The propaganda machine grinds on while widespread ruin races across our nation. Enough is enough. Stop it now! The people are rising up.
THIRD UPDATE:
The point is being missed. Recovery is being mouthed as we know joblessness is going to be a long term problem. That is a lie! The people of regions like this have no other place to go but long distance commutes or move. Where are the options? Jobs do not exist. I am shocked at the lack of empathy for workers and their families being voiced on a large scale here!
FOURTH UPDATE:
International Paper Closes Franklin, Virginia Mill
Description:
Approximately 210,000 tons of uncoated freesheet paper taken out of the company's U.S. paper mill system
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 13 PRNewswire-FirstCall -- International Paper (NYSE:IP) today announced the permanent shutdown of its No. 3 uncoated freesheet paper machine at its Franklin, Va., Mill. This will result in the permanent curtailment of the company's annual paper production capacity by approximately 150,000 tons of uncoated freesheet paper and affect approximately 50 employees. The plan targets November 23 to begin the shutdown. In addition, approximately 60,000 tons of lack of order downtime will be taken out of the company's U.S. uncoated freesheet paper mills d uring the fourth quarter.
"Because of the continuing decline of uncoated freesheet paper demand, we must reduce our capacity and announce this permanent machine shutdown," said Wayne Brafford, IP's senior vice president, Printing & Communications Papers. "Our company's commitment to optimize our mill operations to meet the needs of our customers made this difficult business decision necessary. The additional capacity reductions, as lack of order downtime, reflect the current economic weakness in our markets," added Brafford.
"We also understand this announcement will create uncertainty for employees, their families and the communities affected, especially in the Franklin area," said Brafford. "We will do all we can to assist them during the shutdown process and downtime period."
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FINAL UPDATE: If you now google the subject you will find that 1100 people are affected and that Governor Kaine says it is a big blow to Virginia. The West Point plant has a different owner but is due to close too. The reason given for the closing is the recession globally. There were police at the plant today because they feared violence might occur. I think that makes my early breaking report as accurate and informative as could be expected at that time of day!