Last U.S. Newsprint Mill to Remain After NORPAC Closure

Inland Empire Paper Company will be the sole domestic supplier of newsprint after Longview's NORPAC exits the market.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:33am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a stack of pristine newsprint rolls in muted, earthy tones arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, using dramatic lighting to symbolize the consolidation in the U.S. newsprint industry.The impending closure of a major newsprint mill will leave just one domestic producer, raising concerns about pricing and supply chain resilience for U.S. newspapers.Spokane Today

Newspapers in the United States will have only one domestic option for sourcing newsprint after Northern Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) closes its Longview, Washington mill later this month. Inland Empire Paper Company, located in Millwood, near the Idaho border, will be the last remaining U.S. manufacturer of newsprint-grade paper.

Why it matters

The closure of NORPAC's Longview facility will leave newspapers with limited options for purchasing American-made newsprint, potentially impacting costs and supply chain logistics. This consolidation in the domestic newsprint industry raises concerns about pricing power and availability for newspapers that prioritize sourcing from U.S. producers.

The details

Inland Empire Paper Company, which operates a mill in Spokane County, Washington, will be the sole domestic producer of newsprint-grade paper once NORPAC shutters its Longview operations. Inland Empire's website shows it offers a variety of newsprint products in different weights, serving daily newspapers as well as coupon mailers and booklets.

  • NORPAC is scheduled to exit the newsprint business later this month (April 2026).
  • Inland Empire Paper Company has been operating its mill in Spokane County for an undisclosed number of years.

The players

Inland Empire Paper Company

A paper manufacturer located in Millwood, Washington, near the Idaho border, that will be the last remaining U.S. producer of newsprint-grade paper after NORPAC's exit from the market.

Northern Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC)

A paper company that is closing its newsprint production facility in Longview, Washington, leaving Inland Empire Paper as the sole domestic supplier of newsprint.

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What they’re saying

“I am not aware of any other U.S. mills left that manufacture newsprint.”

— Ben Carleton, Environmental Manager, Inland Empire Paper

The takeaway

The impending closure of NORPAC's Longview newsprint mill will leave Inland Empire Paper as the last remaining domestic producer, raising concerns about pricing power and supply chain resilience for U.S. newspapers that prioritize sourcing newsprint from American manufacturers.