How International Paper’s mill closures are affecting the local logging industry

JESUP, Ga. (WTOC) - International Paper’s mill closures continue to impact the community. Hundreds of people will be out of a job by the end of the month.

However, some businesses that worked with International Paper are making cuts even sooner.

Mike Durrence, owner of ML Forest products, showed WTOC his logging site where we got to see what their everyday looks like.

On Friday, September 12, 2025, ten truck drivers and five operators from ML Forest products were procuring wood to be sent to saw and paper mills.

Instead of heading to Savannah and Riceboro, they are now carrying their product to Brunswick and Fernandina, Florida.

Durrence told WTOC that half of his production each week previously went to International Paper in Riceboro, and 10%-15% went to International Paper in Savannah.

He said he thinks his company will survive, but he had to downsize after the closure.

“Who’s gonna make it and who’s not gonna make it, and we’re praying for all these guys and everybody’s gonna make it,” said Durrence. “Hopefully, the government will come in and get some assistance or something,” said Durrence.

Zachary Johnson, who works for the Beasley Group and is on the executive committee for Georgia Forest Association, says that the impacts of the closures have been massive.

“Georgia Tech has estimated that the impact of these closures of the last two months will affect almost 1000 employees in state. $3 billion in revenue will be lost the closure of these mills,” said Johnson.

Johnson said the Georgia Forest Association is working on other products with tree pulp that could create more opportunities in the future, but for now many wonder what’s next.

“That’s the million-dollar question, what are we going to do next,” said Durrence.