ATLANTA — A new report from an Atlanta college on the forest industry in Georgia shows recent mill closures could lead to a massive financial loss and thousands of lost jobs.

The report from Georgia Tech shows the closures will lead to an estimated loss of nearly $3 billion and 6,000 lost jobs.

A Georgia Forestry Commission Task Force recommends the creation of a state office to serve as a pilot project for future endeavors and to attract a mass timber manufacturing facility in Georgia.