FRANKLIN, Va. (AP) -- Communities near the International Paper plant in Franklin are trying to determine what ripple effects the plant's scheduled 2010 shutdown will have.
Everything from tax rates to school enrollment could be affected by the closure of a facility that employs roughly 1,100.
A Virginia Economic Development Partnership analysis estimates that regionally, $19.2 million in state tax revenue and $13.5 million in local tax revenue could be lost. The report says the closure will affect four counties and the cities of Franklin and Suffolk.
The Isle of Wight County School Board has scheduled a Thursday work session to discuss the possible effects of the shutdown.
Schools Superintendent Mike McPherson says that for now, people can only adopt a wait-and-see approach.
