This story has been republished through a partnership with The Current, an independent, in-depth and investigative journalism website for Coastal Georgia. International Paper, a longtime pillar of Coastal Georgia’s economy,

International Paper’s closure of its Savannah paper mill will cost 1,100 jobs and likely will have an impact on SC's $23B forestry and timber industry.

International Paper called the decision a series of strategic changes to achieve an advantaged cost position in a press release sent out by the company on Thursday morning.