PORT ANGELES, WA -- Peninsula Plywood (PenPly) sent 50 of its 115 workers home Tuesday, saying that it lacked enough veneer to make plywood.

The action, which affected one shift of the financially troubled operation, came the same day that the Port Angeles City Council agreed to seek a $500,000 grant to help keep the PenPly mill open, according to the Peninsula Daily News. PenPly President Josh Renshaw told the newspaper that the furlough would only last a few days.

PenPly officials said they would use the proceeds of the grant to purchase raw materials and pay off some of its  debt. The company reportedly owes the city $315,000 for utilities and $70,000 to the Port of Port Angeles for rent.

Posted by Rich Christianson