Hundreds of layoffs coming as International Paper announces closure in Campti, La.

CAMPTI, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—The unexpected announcement of the closure of a paper mill in Natchitoches Parish shocked Louisiana leaders and employees, who must consider their next career move.

The Red River Paper Mill in Campti is one of four mills in the U.S. slated to close by April, resulting in a one-percent layoff of the company’s global workforce. This move affects 481 hourly employees at the facility, which celebrated 50 years of operation in March 2024 and is expected to take effect by the end of April 2025.

Louisiana officials, including Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. and Northwestern State University President James Genovese, released statements about the economic ripple effects of losing the Campti containerboard mill.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission and Louisiana Economic Development said they plan to provide employers and employees with access to Rapid Response services at no cost by offering essential support during their workforce transition.

“We understand that right now, people are feeling uncertain about their future,” LWC Secretary Susana Schowen said. “Please be assured that help is on its way.”

Orientations will be scheduled soon to give workers the resources to secure new employment. The sessions will include:

• Local job market trends
• Career assessments
• Resume writing and job search assistance
• Career counseling
• Job search workshops
• Training opportunities
• Unemployment insurance guidance

Job seekers should sign up to be notified of upcoming LWC job fairs, events, and immediate statewide job openings by visiting laworks.net. To explore potential employers for displaced workers, visit gonatchitoches.com. For careers with LED partner companies throughout Louisiana that are searchable by industry, company, and region, visit opportunities.ledfaststart.com.

“The closure of IP’s Red River Mill is a reminder that change is a constant, even for legacy companies like International Paper,” LED Sec. Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Keeping our pledge to create thriving regions means keeping our project pipeline filled with potential new investments, so that as the fortunes of individual companies change, communities continue to grow. Together with our local and regional partners, LED is doing that.”