International Paper Closing Arkansas Plant; 86 Jobs Lost

International Paper Co. said it will be eliminating 86 jobs through the closure of its corrugate container plant in Jonesboro, Ark.

The plant is slated to close permanently in the next several weeks and most of its business will be moved to the company’s plant in Olive Branch, Miss. About 20 jobs will be added to the Mississippi facility and workers affected by the Jonesboro closure will be able to apply, Bloomberg reports.

According to the story, the Jonesboro plant began operation in 1982 as Tate Container before being acquired by International Paper in 1999. A regional general manager told Bloomberg the closure was the result of the company losing five big customers along with the economic downturn.