MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) – The state workforce development department will step in to help 450 people who will lose their job when Wausau Paper closes its Brokaw mill by the end of March.

A state rapid response team will schedule a meeting soon with company officials, union representatives and local service providers to discuss what help the state can provide. The team will also hold an orientation for affected workers and survey them about what services they need.

Affected workers will have access to basic services through the state’s Job Centers such as job training skills and job search and career planning assistance. But mill employees may also be eligible for more help through other specific state programs.

The department will also look at whether workers are eligible for federal trade adjustment assistance. That decision is based in large part on whether the workers are losing their jobs as a result of foreign trade or competition.