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

Two more Oregon sawmill operations have announced imminent closures, extending a run of bad news that began earlier this year and the announcements now make seven mills in the state that have quit operating in 2024. In opposite ends of the state, Western Cascade Industries in Toldeo on the Oregon Coast and Malheur Lumber in John Day in eastern Oregon both announced in July they were ceasing operations, citing poor lumber markets and other issues.

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.