Emporia job fair offers hope after sudden closure of Georgia-Pacific plywood mill

EMPORIA, Va. (WRIC) -- Just days after Georgia-Pacific announced the sudden shutdown of its plywood mill in Emporia, 550 laid-off workers are now scrambling to figure out their next steps.

On Thursday, May 8, many of the laid-off workers attended a job fair aimed at helping them transition into new roles, even though for some of them, the sting of the closure still lingers.

The event, held at a local civic center, drew more than 40 employers from across the state, all hoping to connect with a newly available — and experienced — workforce. The job fair was organized in collaboration with local officials and workforce development groups after last week’s announcement rocked the Emporia community.

The Georgia-Pacific mill officially announced the closure on Friday, May 2, and operated for nearly 50 years. Its closure will officially take effect on July 1, though employees will continue to receive pay until then. 

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Riondo Bell, who worked at the plant for eight years, said the shutdown came with no warning.

“I didn't even really know that we were supposed to get a certain notice, but, now that I know that, it seems pretty messed up,” Bell said. “A little more time to find another job — more than 60 days — would’ve helped. Probably have a lot of people moving away now.”

Allen Hill, another former employee who worked at the mill for about a year and a half, said he gained valuable experience at Georgia-Pacific, which he hopes will help him land on his feet. But he worries about his older colleagues.

“It's not going to be hard for me to find a job,” Hill said. “But for the people who are 70 and have been there for years, I know it hit them hard. Most jobs aren't going to hire them at their old age.”

Organizers of the fair emphasized that the goal wasn’t just to provide immediate job openings, but to match workers with roles suited to their skills and experience, which would ideally help them build long-term careers.

Representatives from Georgia-Pacific attended the job fair, but they declined to provide comment to 8News.

While the loss of the mill will have lasting effects on the Emporia economy, many hope the job fair marked the beginning of a new chapter for those affected.