FRANKLIN (AP) -- A chapter in Virginia's manufacturing history has closed with International Paper shuttering its mill in Isle of Wight County.
After more than a century of lumber and paper manufacturing, the Franklin plant closed Thursday.
The last paper machine was shut down at 4:20 p.m., about 8 hours after the other operating machine was turned off.
About 1,100 people were employed at the mill in October when the phased closing was announced. The two machines operating at the mill produced paper and coated paperboard.
International Paper attributed the mill's closure to the global recession that has slashed demand for paper and paperboard products. Plants in Louisiana and Oregon also are being closed.
