WASHINGTON (News release) - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $1.8 million to the Technical College System of Georgia to support employment and training services for people affected by layoffs at Georgia-Pacific LLC.

On May 14, 2025, Georgia-Pacific announced the permanent closure of their Cedar Springs containerboard processing mill, which will result in a mass layoff that is expected to begin Aug. 1, 2025. Georgia-Pacific estimates that 535 individuals will be impacted by the closure.

Administered by the department's Employment and Training Administration, this National Dislocated Worker Grant will allow the Technical College System of Georgia to provide retraining and skills development services for dislocated workers seeking assistance in Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth counties.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker Grants provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources.