Omak plywood mill to close early next year, affecting 175

OMAK — A plywood and veneer mill in north-central Washington is closing early next year, affecting about 175 workers.

The owner, the Colville Tribal Federal Corp., said it is closing Omak Wood Products, citing factors including losing a major customer, the wildfires and falling plywood prices.

KPQ-AM reported Colville tribal spokesman Jim Boyd said the closure will have a big impact on the community. He said the tribe is looking at ways to keep the operation open.

Following a previous shutdown, the mill in Omak reopened in 2013 under an agreement between the tribal group and New Wood Resources, a Shelton-based company that is a unit of Connecticut-based Atlas Holdings LLC.

The plant manufactures softwood veneer for Northwest markets and Douglas fir plywood for industrial and other applications.