LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho Forest Group is buying the Clearwater Paper sawmill in Lewiston for $30 million, putting 250 people out of work, at least temporarily.

The employees learned Wednesday they will receive two months of severance pay and can eventually apply for jobs with Idaho Forest Group as it decides how many employees it will hire.

Production at the sawmill will ramp down over the next few weeks and employees have said it will close on Nov. 11. IFG plans to take ownership of the mill and its assets before the end of the year.

Some employees plan early retirement, others say they'll apply to work for IFG and some are looking at options including going to college.

Copyright 2011 The AP.