Kimberly-Clark Corp. officials told the Conway Chamber of Commerce last week that the company is considering closing its mill in Conway, AR as part of its 2018 Global Restructuring Program. The program, announced in January, will save up to $550 million by 2021 and includes a 12-13% workforce reduction and the closure of 10 manufacturing sites around the world.

K-C has two plants in Arkansas—in Conway and Maumelle—which together employ about 700 people. Local and state officials were hopeful that these plants would both be spared from the restructuring program because of recent expansion and investments iniatives. The Conway site underwent a multimillion dollar, three-year expansion beginning in 2010, which allowed it to make products formerly not made by K-C in the U.S. The Maumelle site, which makes baby wipes, underwent a $68 million expansion in 2015, bringing its workforce to 500 people. This expansion was largely funded by local bonds.