Georgia-Pacific has removed another piece of its historic downtown Camas mill, demolishing a long-idle boiler on Feb. 19 as part of the company’s ongoing modernization and decommissioning plan. According to reporting by The Camas Post Record, the boiler was one of several structures slated for removal as the company reshapes its footprint in the region.

Georgia-Pacific has described the multiyear project as a revitalization of its papermaking operations, focused on consolidating production areas and taking down structures that no longer serve operational needs. The company has not announced changes to its remaining manufacturing lines, but the physical transformation of the property has been steady.

While the Camas mill sits in Clark County, its changes are closely watched throughout Southwest Washington, including Cowlitz County, where industrial employers have undergone similar cycles of modernization, downsizing, or redevelopment. Area logistics networks, timber suppliers, and regional contractors often operate across county lines, making large industrial projects in Camas relevant to neighboring communities along the I‑5 corridor.

Local officials in Camas have previously stated that long-term redevelopment of portions of the mill could reshape the downtown waterfront area, though no formal redevelopment proposal is currently under public review. For communities such as Longview and Kelso, where industrial land along the river plays a significant economic role, the Camas project serves as another marker of how legacy mills in the state are evaluating older infrastructure and preparing for future use.

Why this matters

Across Southwest Washington, older industrial sites continue to face decisions about modernization, demolition, or redevelopment. Georgia-Pacific’s ongoing work in Camas offers a concrete example of how regional employers are approaching aging infrastructure and aligning operations with contemporary production needs. These transitions can influence employment patterns, contractor demand, and long-term land-use debates far beyond the cities where demolition occurs.

Sources

The Camas Post Record: Georgia-Pacific demolishes boiler at downtown Camas mill