‘We are praying for you’: Emporia leaders meet after Georgia-Pacific closure, hundreds laid off

EMPORIA, Va. (WRIC) — On Tuesday, Emporia City leaders met for the first time since the local Georgia-Pacific plywood plant announced its impending closure and abruptly laid off over 500 people.

"We are praying for you, and we are doing everything in our power to assist you in your transition,” said city manager William Johnson, III.

The sudden closure, announced on Friday, May 2, left 550 people without jobs. Georgia-Pacific attributed the plant shutdown to declining plywood demand, which leaders linked to a slowdown in existing home sales and increasing housing affordability challenges.

Laid-off employee Lashonda Hinton questioned that explanation.

“The panels we made, they were selling out," she said. "And we just hired a bunch of new people— [I] think like, 25 or more, less than two weeks ago."

MORE: 550 workers ‘blindsided’ as Georgia-Pacific shuts down Emporia plywood plant

Johnson said Emporia leaders are doing all they can, as they held their first emergency meeting the morning of Tuesday, May 6 to discuss resources for laid-off workers.

"I wish there was something that this body could do in this case, but it’s out of the council’s hands," Johnson said. "It’s a decision that was made by holders of Georgia-Pacific."

The meeting was held in conjunction with Virginia Career Works. Services offered included help with resumes and information on medical care options.

Georgia-Pacific plans to officially close the Emporia facility on July 1, though it says employees will continue to receive pay and benefits through the end of June.

As part of the ongoing response, a job fair will be held on Thursday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Golden Leaf Commons. Officials say 30 companies will be on site to meet with job seekers.