Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

GP, Gurdon, reports 'steady' operations

Despite the struggling industry of

logging and lumber production, the

Georgia Pacific plant in Gurdon has

remained steady in its operations and

profits, according to GP spokesperson

Julie Davis.

The plant, which recently laid off

more than two dozen workers in

February, still has more than 550 people

employed there, said Davis.

"The fact that were still running is a

testament to the hard work of all our

employees there," Davis said. "Thats

not to say that other employees have

done as good of a job. Companies have

to make some tough decisions."

As far as the profits and the steadiness

goes, Davis said there has been

some fluctuation, but they have been

able to maintain a pretty steady business

there. No exact numbers or figures

for how well GP is doing because the

company became privately owned in

early 2006 after being sold by Koch

Industries.

"Weve got a good strong operation

there," she said. "Its a really tough time

for anybody in a related industry that

supports any kind of aspect of construction

industry. We are happy that were

still running the mill there."

Local logging businesses have also

seen the steadiness of the plant. Johnny

Calley, owner of Calleys Fina Station

on Hwy. 67, said that he is "getting

more business. Theyre doing a pretty

good job. Theyre trading up here more

than International Paper did."

The nearest GP plant, which is located

in Fordyce, "seems to be going well

there as well," Davis said. "Were all

just eager for the market to turn and

things to improve."