Closing of International Paper Company to affect more than just employees

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The International Paper Company closing its Mills in Savannah and Riceboro is having an impact on sub-contractors who were also employed by the company.

Christopher Floyd a project manager for East Coast Mechanical told WTOC contractors all over Savannah will loose income and job opportunities.

“People that are looking for jobs: operators, maintenance hands, mill rights pipe fitters, electricians, and like I said they have been a big of the industrial community around here for a long time. A big Mill, couple paper machines running, and when you take that away, it takes a lot, its going to take a lot of money out of Savannah, Georgia,” said Floyd.

The owner of East Coast Mechanical, Jessie Ruehling said he would have five to six employees work there for a few days, about once a month, to replace some of their pipes.

That work opportunity is now gone.

“Loosing that contract kind of sucks, but ya’ know I don’t want to cry too much because these people ya’ know these people have it so much worse ya’ know, that work there and depend on and depended on that place,” said Jesse Ruehling.

Ruehling also said that even though they are not a big company they are hoping to create a few extra positions to hire some of those people who lost their job at International Paper.