Six months after announcing plans to close, Willamette Falls Paper Company continues its search for a buyer.
The company, which has operated the historic mill since 2019, saw over 200 employees laid off last August. Today, just 10 employees remain managing the property and inventory.
President Brian Konen emphasized that the company is still engaging with potential investors and scrap buyers. However, if no buyer comes forward within the next three months, the mill will be auctioned off, selling its assets individually.
The mill, which opened in 1889 as the Willamette Falls Pulp and Paper Company, has experienced multiple ownership changes over the years, most recently under Columbia Ventures since 2019. The company faces legal issues, with a lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act due to inadequate layoff notice.
Konen hopes the company’s future will be clearer by June. If no buyer is found before the auction, the mill’s equipment will be sold, making it inoperable.
