MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said that the state is continuing to talk with International Paper about the future of its Lawrence County facility. However, company officials haven't indicated that there's anything the state can do to keep the 1,100-employee plant open.
International Paper announced last week that it will close the north Alabama mill because of declining demand, a move that will affect more than 1,100 jobs in the Tennessee Valley.
The Memphis, Tenn.-based company said the plant in Courtland will shut down by early 2014.
The TimesDaily reports that Bentley said the state wouldn't be able to quickly offer the company anything without approval from the Legislature, which doesn't meet until January.