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Priest River officials optimistic about community’s future inspite of mill closure

October 1, 2008 /

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The final shift at the JD Lumber in Priest River http://www.priestriver.org/ will leave the mill for the last time Friday.

The mill was sold to Riley Creek Lumber of Laclede and there is little hope that the plant will ever operate again. Its night shift did not even get the extra 60 days of employment they originally expected. Management laid those employees off in early August, shortly after the sale was announced, citing adverse market conditions.

Contrary to rumors, Priest River officials and residents said the town is not about to lie down and play dead. True, they said the loss of about 200 jobs in a town of less than 1,800 people is a serious blow. However, the recent economic upheaval is only one of many tough times this timber-dependent community has weathered in the past.

By MARYLYN CORK
Hagadone News Network

Full Story: http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2008/10/01/business/bus01.txt