More lumber industry layoffs in Josephine County


Cave Junction, Ore — Nearly 20 people will be looking for new jobs in Cave Junction, an area already hard hit by layoffs in the lumber industry.

In a part of the state still struggling to recover from the recession 19 employees of Rough & Ready Lumber in Cave Junction will not be returning to work on Monday.

“There’s just not a lot of industry in Cave Junction, this was a big employer in our town,” said Rough & Ready employee Joe Alexander.

It’s another economic blow to those who live in Cave Junction, struck once again by a round of layoffs in the timber industry.

“Everybody just got the news today, I’m sure the company wants to keep rolling, but resources being the way they are,” said Alexander.

The owners of Rough and Ready Lumber Co.. which has operated since 1922, had to let go of 19 employees due to what they call a lack of supply caused by a number of issues including timber contracts on federal lands and recent forest fires.

Rough & Ready Lumber Co. mostly produces wood for door windows and recently reopened in 2014 after closing for similar reasons.

Those who live nearby say it’s just another stunning blow for an already struggling area dependent on lumber for jobs.

“This is a low income area, it really hurts, a lot of those people are going to probably have to file for unemployment, food stamps, and it hurts the timber industry which we really don’t have much of anymore,” said Selma resident Rick Epstein.

Alexander, who still works in the industry says tough times make for resilient people.

“They’re pretty tough people, we’re close to the land so hopefully people will find ways to make ends meet, that’s the big thing,” said Alexander.

He believes this is just another bump in the road to recovery for Josephine county.

“Hopefully we’ll be back online soon, we’ll get some lumber and everybody will be back soon, that’s the hope,” said Alexander.

Owner Jennifer Phillippi says the remaining 45 employees will stay on hand for the next six to seven weeks or until supply materials run out.

© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.

Matt Jordan is the Chief Meteorologist for KOBI-TV NBC5. Matt joined the NBC5 weather team in 2014 after a year as a reporter and anchor in Alexandria, Louisiana. His experience with the severe weather of the Deep South and a love of the Pacific Northwest led him to pursue a certification with Mississippi State University as a Broadcast Meteorologist. You can find Matt working in the evenings of NBC5 News at 5, 6 and 11 as well as online. Matt also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. In addition to being passionate about news and weather, Matt is a BIG Oregon Ducks fan. When not rooting for the Ducks or tracking down the next storm over the Pacific, Matt can be found outdoors in the Oregon wilderness with his wife, his daughter and their dogs Stanley and Gordi.
Skip to content