NATCHEZ — An announcement about the future of the closed Mississippi River Pulp facility could come mid-week next week.

Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ said he has had “a very busy week,” and while some paperwork remains, he anticipates that next week an announcement about MRP will be forthcoming.

Natchez Inc. has been working with the owners of the fiber products recycling plant, which officially shut down its operations Oct. 31 after the owners tried unsuccessfully for months to sell the facility.

After the closure, two potential clients remained, one Russ said was already established in the recycling field and one that was looking to get into the business.

Since then, Russ has declined to discuss which of those potential clients has continued to pursue the prospect.

The closure affected 79 employees.

Prior to 2010, MRP was Mississippi River Corporation, which was bought shortly after MRC filed for bankruptcy, citing demand issues.

When the MRP closure was announced, a statement from the company stated it was because — in addition to being unable to find a buyer at that time — the company’s owners had not been able to find as much demand for its products as they believed was necessary to maintain their desired level of equitability.

The plant had been idle for approximately a week at the time of its closure, having just completed a 15-day production run, employees said at the time.

Prior to operating as a recycling facility as MRC, the facility was operated by Diamond International, where it produced fiber-based products such as egg cartons.