A plastics manufacturer says it will close its Chippewa Falls plant, idling 170 workers.  Local leaders say the loss of the Pactiv plant is a major blow to the community's economy.
 
Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman says losing Pactiv will be hard to absorb and it will have a huge impact on the community. The Lake Forest, Ill., company said Tuesday it will phase out manufacturing in Chippewa Falls by January and shift production elsewhere.
 
Pactiv makes plastic cups and plates, among other things. Hoffman tells the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram the Pactiv building is marketable and hopefully will be sold to another company.