Sawmills continue to close as Oregon doubles down on job-killing regulations

Since the beginning of 2024, at least four sawmills in Oregon have closed down, prompting county leaders to question state forestry officials about a plan that would restrict logging in western Oregon forests. The closures have resulted in at least 200 jobs being lost in rural areas from Banks, Springfield, Riddle, and Philomath. Attributed partly to high log costs and state policies regarding species protections, the mills see little prospect of future growth. The habitat conservation plan takes significant blame as it will close large swaths of Oregon forestland to timber harvest.

Read more about the closures in Springfield, Banks, Philomath, and Riddle.