World War 3, Economic Front: U.S. job losses & store closings 01 March 2013. More signs the economy sucks!

In New York the power supply company, Eaton Corporation, announced 33 layoffs.  Company officials blame the bad economy.

After 33 years of doing business in Hamburg, New YorkRomanello’s South Restaurant closed down. The owner is pissed off: “I ran out of money. I’m sick about it!”-John Romanello

The coffee shop, Noella Brew Bar, closed down in Brooklyn, New York.  The owner said it wasn’t worth it to keep fighting the bad economy and that “…my health, my kids and life outside of work is more important.”  

In Bronx, New York, the Jonathan Levin High School for Media and Communications will be closed.  School officials blame declining enrollment and a dismal graduation rate of only 31%!

In Ohio, the Neil House Brewery closed.  The Indian Creek School District to close the Wayne Elementary School due to funding problems.

In California, the Saint Rita Christian school in Fairfax is closing: “The problem we have is the same across the United States: dwindling numbers of students and higher personnel costs.”-Reverend Ken Weare

Compuware laying off 160 employees! Most of the layoffs will affect administrative and operating positions. Company officials say they need to save $23 million USD in the next 18 months.

In Massachusetts, Hoosac Bank laying off 20 employees due to a merger.

In North Carolina, Bank of America closing a branch office in New Bern by the end of May.  Too Big to Jail bank officials blamed internet competition: “This decision is driven primarily by a decline in transactions, as customers increasingly rely on other channels including mobile and online banking.”

Toy and game maker, Hasbro, laid off three people from their TV game show division.

In South Carolina, Boeing said it will end hundreds of contracted positions at its Dreamliner factory!  One unnamed source said it could be 20% of the nearly 6000 workers at the factory.  Company officials said it has nothing to do with recent problems with the 787 airliner, but that they simply want to stop relying on contractors.  (mmm, wasn’t it a contractor that made those flaming batteries?)

Social networking site, Memory Lane, laid off an undisclosed amount of employees at its Seattle, Washington, offices.   Company officials would not comment, but it’s known they’ve been losing revenue.

Online video game source, GameFly, laid off as many as 35 people.

Washington DC law firm, Patton Boggs, laid off an undisclosed amount of attorneys.

In Arkansas, Tyson poultry processor to close its Springdale operation. 60 employees out-o-work. Company officials blame a change in consumer demand.

The New Milford Hospital is closing its Family Birthing Center in Connecticut. Hospital officials said it was because adults are having less babies.

In Oregon, the Easter Seals closing their Children’s Therapy Center in Salem.  The international charity blames it on skyrocketing health care costs and crashing donations from individuals and corporations.

After 46 years in operation, the A&P grocery store in Bedminster, New Jersey, shut down.  The lease was not renewed.

In Minnesota, the Rainbow Foods grocery store shut down in Robbinsdale: “The store is underperforming and closing because of increased competition. Their lease is up and because of the decreased profitability they will not renew…..”-Regan Murphy, mayor

In Chelsea, Michigan, the L&W Engineering steel and aluminum fabrication factory is being closed, supposedly for the next two years.  Company officials say they are converting the factory into MIG welding facility, however, unnamed employees told local media the company is dumping the factory.

After 30 years in business, Bacon’s Furniture shutting down in Florida.  They lost their lease.

In an ironic move, the Illinois Department of of Employment Security closed seven offices, in effect laying off 192 employees!  The Prairie State has already closed eight employment offices since last year, this latest round makes 15 in toto.  Now if that’s not a sign the economy is crashing and burning than I don’t know what is!