LOUISIANA (From news reports) -- International Paper will permanently close its Campti containerboard mill in Natchitoches Parish in April, eliminating about 300 permanent jobs.

The company also said it will close its recycling plant in Phoenix and box plant in Hazelton, Pa., during the same time period.

International Paper is one of the largest private employers in Natchitoches Parish.

Republican state Rep. Jack McFarland of Winnfield represents the area, and state Sen. Alan Seabaugh of Shreveport does too.

The plant also falls in the district of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Shreveport.

"It's devastating news for our entire region," said McFarland, who owns a logging business. "It's an immediate direct hit to the IP workers, their families, and the loggers and landowners who grow timber. But it will also touch every business and retailer in the area."

McFarland said state government officials weren't warned of the closure.

"I talked to a senior executive with IP who said there was nothing that could have been done to save the plant," McFarland said.

The Campti facility, known as the Red River Mill, produces about 800,000 tons of containerboard annually.

"The decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities," said Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president, North American Packaging Solutions, International Paper, in a statement.

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International Paper's News Release

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- International Paper announced the permanent closure of the company's Red River containerboard mill in Campti, La., recycling plant in Phoenix, Az., box plant in Hazleton, Pa., and sheet feeder facility in St. Louis, Mo. All facilities will cease operations by the end of April 2025. The Red River containerboard mill closure is expected to reduce the company's containerboard capacity by approximately 800,000 tons on an annualized basis.

In total, 495 hourly employees and 179 salaried employees will be affected. The company will work to minimize the impact on employees by using attrition, retirements and current vacancies at other International Paper locations. Team members at these locations will receive outplacement assistance, access to mental health support resources and where possible, severance benefits.

"The decision to close any facility is difficult because of the impact on our team members, their families and the surrounding communities," said Tom Hamic, executive vice president and president, North American Packaging Solutions, International Paper. "We greatly appreciate the contributions from our departing team members and will do all we can to support them."

International Paper is undergoing a transformational journey to become a stronger sustainable packaging solutions company. A critical step in this journey is to streamline IP's footprint to focus investments on facilities that will best serve customers and accelerate strategic initiatives to improve quality, reliability and service delivery.