International Paper Mill Courtland, Al

The Courtland Mill was built by Champion International and opened in 1971. Several expansions through the years increased the plant’s capacity and efficiency. International Paper purchased the mill in June 2000. The mill employed 1090 people from twelve counties – nine counties in North Alabama and three in South Tennessee. In Sept of 2013, International Paper announced the closing of the mill to be completed by March of 2014. After the closure, clean up of the plants boilers, lime kiln, and associated tanks that took roughly a year. Demolition of the various buildings began in 2017 and continues at this time.

According to International Paper, the Courtland mill produced approximately 850,000 tons of paper annually, and had an annual payroll of almost $86 million. According to International Paper spokeswoman Laura Gipson, the closure is "primarily due to a sluggish economy within the US and really the acceleration of electronic substitution for online filing and billing. International Paper made the decision to look at its mills that produce uncoated, free-sheet paper and ultimately the decision was made to close the Courtland mill.”