Birchwood Manufacturing shut down in Rice Lake

Besse Forest Products closed its downtown Rice Lake Birchwood Manufacturing Co. facility and 46 employees lost their jobs on Friday.

In a letter to the state Department of Workforce Development dated Thursday, Aug. 1, Besse said it was closing the facility, located at 38 E. Messenger St., effective Friday, Aug. 2, and the closure was likely to be permanent.

The 46 employees are not represented by a collective bargaining representative, Besse said.

“We are sorry we were not able to give you more notice,” Besse told the state. “However, due to an unprecedented industry downturn, it has recently become clear to the company that the revenues of the company will no longer support its operations. After exploring restructuring alternatives, we have determined that Birchwood Manufacturing will cease operations.”

Dave Armstrong, executive director of the Barron County Economic Development Corp., said he has sent email notifications to employers of the availability of former Birchwood workers. He also has an eye on how the prime downtown location on the shores of Rice Lake can be developed.

“I am working on potential buyers or developers for the property,” Armstrong said.