Dec 08, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. The Port Townsend Paper Corp. mill will close December 19 for at least 10 days, affecting about 275 employees, Associated Press reported. The mill is Jefferson County's largest private employer. It produces pulp for Asian markets, where it is used in the packaging of exported goods, and container board for cardboard boxes in North America. Mill manager Roger Loney said if sales don't improve, another shutdown could happen in the next quarter of 2009. Mr Loney says the market has decreased in both pulp and containerboard. Mr Loney says the plan is to get the mill back in operation on December 29, but that time line could change depending on sales during Christmas week. During the December closure, Mr Loney says the mill will shut down completely, with about 25 workers remaining to process shipments and for security. Mr Loney says the 275 employees will not be paid during the shutdown unless they use company vacation time, except for Christmas and December 26, which are paid holidays.