Two More Oregon Mills Go Down: Malheur, W. Cascade Closures

The Western Cascades mill provided a key market for small logs along the mid Coast region between Tillamook and Coos Bay. Company officials noted poor lumber markets as reason for closing the county’s second-largest employer. The mill is the last one operating in the area, and included a chip mill on site. The closure affects 50 employees.

In arid eastern Oregon, Malheur Lumber operators cited labor force issues such as finding enough drug free workers and also a housing shortage that makes it difficult to recruit new employees to the remote area and town of less than 2,000 that’s hours away from even medium-sized communities. The pine mill has been in business as a major employer in Grant County for 41 years, and has served as a key market for timber generated by forest health projects on the Malheur National Forest that surrounds the town. Earlier this year, Prairie Wood Products in nearby Prairie City closed, making Malheur Lumber the last mill operating in the county. More than 70 employees are affected.