In Michigan, coupon book publisher, Entertainment Promotions now bankrupt. 267 people laid off! And what recovery in housing construction? Williams Lumber closed down after 130 years of operations! The owner blamed the bad economy for a fourfold drop in sales: “We have to sell everything including the real estate, the building…”-Bruce Williams
The Tobyhanna Army Depot laying off 418 people in Pennsylvania! Also, at least 5000 employees are being forced to take unpaid days off between April and September! It’s being blamed on government funding cuts. The Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs laid off about 20 people in management. Casino officials said management needed to be more efficient.
In Texas, Handy Hardware bankrupt. The company owes the state of Mississippi $3.5 million USD. The Mississippi Development Authority says the money came from a federal government development grant, that was supposed to be used to create 175 jobs, but never happened. Handy Hardware already defaulted on $26 million in debt owed to Capital One.
Another Texas company went bankrupt. Geokinetics provides seismic data to the oil and gas industry. Company officials, and stockholders, say the bankruptcy is needed to restructure the company. Also, Crossroads Systems laying off 30 research and development employees.
In Missouri, the owner of apartments in Saint Louis, Locust Street Lofts, now bankrupt.
In Illinois, the Ball-Chatham School Board eliminated 14 teaching positions. Other positions will have their hours reduced. School officials blame budget problems.
The private preschool Goddard School, on Back Creek Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, closed down. Reports say the school owed $60000 in unpaid rent. Also, the Fayetteville Regional Chamber laid off two people, in order to save money.
In California, the Modesto City Schools announced they need to reduce staffing. Possibly 36 people to lose their jobs. Schools officials also said that not only must senior teaching staff be credentialed, they must prove “competence”. They need to save about $7 million in the 2013-14 school year. In San Francisco, Haig’s Delicacies closed down after 57 years of business. The family owners will continue their wholesale operation. In King City, Bertelli’s Health Mart Pharmacy out-o-business. The owner/operators blamed it on their long (and expensive) commutes to work.
In Puerto Rico, 400 people lost their jobs with Baxter! The pharmaceutical company has been investing tens of millions into making their Puerto Rico operation more efficient (meaning getting the same amount of production with less employees).
In Maryland, Obama/Romney Care being blamed for layoffs at Frederick Memorial Hospital. 40 people being let go: “What hospitals are doing nationwide, and in Maryland in particular, are to find ways to adjust the provision care models to adjust to the decreasing amount of Medicare reimbursements.”-Harry Grandinett, Frederick Memorial Hospital
The Richard Hall Community Mental Health Center, in New Jersey, announced the ending of 15 positions and reduction in services, due to an expected $1 million loss in County funding.
In Georgia, the Arthritis Foundation laid off 26 employees. Officials with the crony charity blame declining donations, yet 2011 tax filings show the CEO got a salary/benefits package of $508000, plus $70000 in bonuses!
Spain based Acciona lays off 40 employees at their wind power operation in Iowa. Company officials blame it on declining interest in clean energy.
In Vermont, Green Mountain Power laid off 15 meter readers. The company switched to smart meters which do not require people to physically read the meter.
China based Suntech lays off 43 people and shuts down their Goodyear solar power panel factory in Arizona. Company officials blame it on the high tariffs imposed by the Obama administration.
In Massachusetts, Adventure Outfitters in Hadley closed down. Company officials blame the bad economy and climate change: “…a result of the tough economy and two warm winters in a row.”-John Cronin, Tiger Group
Brazil based video game maker, Vostu, to layoff more employees. Reports say the company had 580 employees at one time, but is now down to about 70. The company has offices in São Paulo, Buenos Aries and New York.
In New York, the owners of newspaper Pennysavers ended publication and laid off 60 people. In West Village, Italian sandwich shop Jason Denton’s ‘Ino, closed down. And the Bath & Body Works closed down in the Fingerlakes Mall.
In West Virginia, two Kelly Motors car dealerships closed for good. The owners refused to talk to the local media.
AT&T closes four franchise stores in South Dakota. Something happened between AT&T and Express Wireless, which ended AT&T service. AT&T officials said they were legally restricted from explaining what happened. The State Public Utilities Commissioner said AT&T had invested millions of dollars into South Dakota.
