Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will be in Duluth Friday morning to meet with officials of the Georgia-Pacific Co., though it’s unclear what role the visit will have in the future of the company’s plant that’s slated to close at month’s end, the Duluth News Tribune reports.

Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific's hardboard manufacturing plant in Duluth will permanently shut down on Aug. 31, the Duluth News Tribune. A company spokesman said, "The employees are welcome to apply for any other jobs we have” at other facilities. The closure leaves 140 employees looking for work. They will be paid and receive benefits for 60 days.

The closure of the Georgia-Pacific hardboard plant in Duluth Friday afternoon leaves141 people out of work -- and campaigners for 8th Congressional District challenger Rick Nolan saying that Rep. Chip Cravaack didn't do enough to stop it.

Gov. Mark Dayton and other government officials said Friday that they will pledge support for the city of Sartell after Verso Paper Corp. announced it was shutting down its fire-damaged paper mill for good. Dayton, who was in Sartell with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other lawmakers, vowed to use his clout to bring jobs back to the Verso site. More than 260 employees worked at the plant.

Gov. Mark Dayton toured the destruction created by historic flooding in Duluth on Thursday and vowed to help the region rebuild. Meanwhile, campers were stranded, damage estimates were gathered and rain-weary residents marveled the mess.

Following his trip to flood-ravaged Duluth, Gov. Mark Dayton says he will survey damage in other cities hit by floods in northeastern Minnesota, including Moose Lake and Carlton. He was going to visit as soon as Saturday, but was asked to hold off because of continuing clean-up efforts in the area.

Gov. Mark Dayton plans to call a special legislative session in late July or August to respond to flood damage in northeast Minnesota. The St. Cloud Times reports Dayton has indicated he's also interested in providing state aid for the Verso Paper mill following an explosion and fire on Memorial Day. One worker was killed, four others were injured and most of the 250 workers have been laid off from the Sartell plant.