Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:
Alabama: The non-profit animal rescue operation Humane Society of West Alabama shutting down its main source of funding, the Humane Society Flea Market: “We don’t get any local or government funding at all so everything we have is 100% through fundraising and donations, so this is going to be difficult for us to come back from, as far as having to close the place.”-Anita Smelley
Arizona: Phoenix based copper and gold mining company Freeport-McMoRan announced it will eliminate 10% of its jobs and reduce output by 20% in 2016.
California: In San Francisco, after 37 years Ino Sushi shutting down next week. In Laguna Beach, after surviving The Great (deflationary) Depression the only movie theater, South Coast Cinemas, shutdown without warning. The owners blame the greedy landlord for refusing to agree to a new long term lease.
Connecticut: In West Hartford, after 44 years Herb’s Sport Shop shutting down in October: “Essentially, it’s an expensive place to rent. At one time, it was a very popular, active, profitable location doing very well, but there’s very little foot traffic nowadays…..the parking is a pain.”-Andrew Sheintop, owner
Delaware: Affordable Care Act forcing Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to “streamline our operations” and layoff 12 employees.
Florida: In Orlando, after five years restaurant Mi Tomatina shutdown. In Miami, after several decades the Giveaway Discount Drugs store suddenly shutdown. A man who was hired to clean out the store said the aged owner is suffering health problems.
Georgia: Bankrupt Hutcheson Medical Center shutting down their Labor and Delivery Services to “provide cost saving measures.”
Iowa: The Lodge Hotel & Conference Center shutdown with little notice and is being sold-off. It’s blamed on necessary building repairs that are too expensive to justify.
Kansas: After 11 years Sutera’s Restaurant & Bar shutdown.
Kentucky: Kroger shutting down their Lexington grocery store in September, 103 jobs lost!
Massachusetts: In Boston Weak, sexist Simmons College shutting down their women’s only MBA program, blaming increased competition. You know the saying; “If you can’t stand the heat……”
Michigan: Affordable Care Act forcing MidMichigan Health to shutdown its Hemlock operations in September. Administrators blame lack of business.
New York: Too Big to Jail Bank of New York Mellon eliminating an additional 280 jobs at its Market Street offices, by October! Bookseller Barnes & Noble shutting down two brick-n-mortar stores, one in Forest Hills and one in Queens.
North Dakota: In Fargo, Country Hearth Bread on South University Drive shutdown without notice. Local news report said the corporate owner refused to explain why.
Pennsylvania: FTS International shutdown their Lycoming location, 52 jobs lost. Macy’s shutting down their Pittsburgh store in September.
Texas: In Corpus Christi, after 80 years Carl’s Flowers shutdown.
Virginia: In Appomattox, the employees and customers of Huddle House restaurant were shocked at the sudden shutdown. Employees claim the management used the excuse that a freezer was broken to send everybody home one night, then the next day the place was shutdown, and the employees are still waiting for their final paychecks. Local news media say the corporate HQ in Georgia is ignoring their inquiries.
Wisconsin: Wood products company Georgia-Pacific shutting down its Philips factory, 60 jobs lost in October.
27 August 2015: “…the number of business closings nearly tripled…”
WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”