Kimberly-Clark announced on Thursday, Dec. 13, that its Conway plant is set to close. Sources say the paper mill will close over a two-year period. This closure will affect 350 jobs.
In early 2018, the Irving, Texas-headquartered company said it would begin eliminating jobs around the world to increase efficiency. Originally, two Wisconsin plants were targeted for closure.
However, Wisconsin officials have offered an incentive package worth $28 million, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. This deal saved one plant and 388 jobs, according to the Journal Sentinel, but resulted in the closure of the Conway plant.
In an August AMParticle, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Mike Preston said he was working alongside the governor to prevent the paper mill from closing. In the event it did close, he said he would look for additional opportunities to recover the lost jobs.
“Should Kimberly Clark close the Conway plant, we will work with its Maumelle facility to extend new lines, or partner with the Governor’s Displaced Workers Taskforce to help find new opportunities,” Preston said.
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READ MORE: Arkansas Works to Keep Kimberly-Clark Plant Open