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.

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.

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.

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 announced in Duluth Friday that he will ask President Barack Obama for a $108 million disaster declaration stemming from last week's floods in northeastern Minnesota. The money will be used to repair damages sustained by public infrastructure in the 13 counties and three tribal areas affected by the flooding.