Simpson urges new investment to avoid closure of Georgia-Pacific facility

TAYLOR COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., responded to the announcement of the closing of the Georgia-Pacific Foley Cellulose Facility in Taylor County.

“While there is never a good time to lose a major employer, particularly in a rural county, this news could not come at a worse time for families devastated by Hurricane Idalia,” Simpson said.

“The decision is final and cannot be reversed,” he added. “We were not informed in advance, but I can confirm that there were no state laws, regulations, or economic conditions within state control that contributed to the shutdown.”

Simpson said that he would welcome another investor or company to take over the operations of the facility.

“There are many economic incentives available, and Florida has an excellent climate for business,” he said. “I challenge anyone to find harder working people than those in Taylor and surrounding counties.”

Dunn posted on social media that he attempted to call the cellulose operation, resulting in a “vague, callous and unhelpful” conversation.

“It baffles me how this company could be so heartless to a community that welcomed them with open arms,” he said.

Following the call, the representative sent Georgia-Pacific a list of demands based on constituent feedback.

The demands include extended health benefits, pay and severance for at least six months, as well as access to food banks, paid leave for job fairs, pay for access to job training resources and for Georgia-Pacific to give the facility to Taylor County so that the local government can handle the infrastructure.

Simpson also urged the company to provide similar resources for the workers that they are letting go.

He noted that the loss of the employment in the community not only impacts the workers, but many other industries such as loggers and truckers.