RR Donnelley plans to close its Jefferson City, Missouri, printing plant on Oct. 1, affecting about 500 jobs

Kendall Sinclair

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri , August 1, 2013 (Associated Press) – A printing company plans to close its Jefferson City plant, which would lead to the expected loss of about 500 jobs in Missouri's capital city.

The Jefferson City News Tribune reported Thursday that employees of RR Donnelly were informed of the plan during a meeting. The plant covers 700,000 square feet and has been operating on weekends and doing overtime work. A company spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday, but KMIZ-TV reports the closing is planned for Oct. 1.

RR Donnelly has operations in North America and abroad. In 2011, the company invested $6 million in a plant in Owensville, about 40 miles east of Jefferson City.

The facility in Jefferson City was established in 1964 as part of Von Hoffmann Press and was acquired by RR Donnelley in 2007.

Randy Allen, the president and CEO of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, said it will do everything it can to help. He said jobs at the facility are "good-paying jobs."

Three Republican lawmakers representing Jefferson City in the Missouri Legislature expressed disappointment and said the company has provided employment and been involved in a variety of community activities. The lawmakers, Sen. Mike Kehoe and state Reps. Jay Barnes and Mike Bernskoetter, called RR Donnelly a "fixture in Jefferson City." They said they will work with other local officials to determine if the company can be persuaded to stay.

"This company truly is a part of the fabric of central Missouri," the lawmakers' said in a statement.