The Latest: Paper mill temporarily closes, cites COVID-19

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota (all times local):

9:35 a.m.

A northern Minnesota paper mill is temporarily closing because of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. UPM Blandin cites market forces for shutting down its Grand Rapids mill. The company did not provide exact details of the shutdown, but a representative from Teamsters Local 346 tells WDIO-TV the closure is expected to last about two weeks.

“The global response to the coronavirus pandemic has led to an overall slowdown of the economy. We are taking short-term measures to respond to market conditions. We rely on our global network of modern paper mills to meet customer demand,” UPM Blandin General Manager Scott Juidici said in a statement.

According to UPM Blandin’s website, the mill, founded in 1901, employs 400 people.

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7:10 a.m.

Another mining company on the Iron Range is idling workers due to the coronavirus pandemic and the declining demand for steel.

Hibbing Taconite will end production May 3. As a result, 650 workers will be laid off, both salaried and hourly workers.

ArcelorMittal, which manages Hibbing Taconite and owns the largest stake in the mine, hopes to restart production July 6.

Hibbing Taconite is the third Iron Range mine and plant to announce it would stop production and layoff most employees.

Cleveland-Cliffs said recently it would idle Northshore Mining in Babbitt and Silver Bay and U.S. Steel said it would temporarily stop production at Keetac. Layoffs at the three mines total about 1,500.