Officials with Plum Creek Timber Co. say they have eliminated 39 jobs at sawmills in the Flathead Valley due to what they’re calling a challenging business environment.
Spokeswoman Kathy Budinick says a variety of positions were cut at both the Columbia Falls and Evergreen plants last week, including 24 salaried and 15 hourly jobs.
The employees will be paid through the end of the month.
Many of the laid-off workers are eligible for worker adjustment assistance, which includes training benefits, relocation and tax credits.
Plum Creek resumed operations at its Columbia Falls sawmill on March 10, putting about 140 people back to work. The mill had closed in January. The sawmill in Evergreen, also idled in January, has not yet reopened.
The company permanently closed its Ksanka sawmill in Fortine in March, ending 72 jobs.