Scott Responds to Announcement of Hapeville Plant Closing

Scott Responds to Announcement of Hapeville Plant Closing

Washington, Jan 23 -

Congressman David Scott (D-GA) issued the following statement on the decision by Ford Motors to close their plant in Hapeville, located in the 13th District:

Today Ford Motor Company announced that it would be shutting the Ford Motor Plant in Hapeville, Georgia. The plant will immediately be idled while the company negotiates with the United Auto Workers on the terms of the layoff of the nearly 2,100 employees at the plant.

"I am very disappointed that Ford decided to close a vital plant in Georgia that employs so many of my constituents. This plant has played a vital role since 1947 in stimulating the local economy and supporting the Hapeville community. Since arriving in Congress, I have been a strong champion of keeping this facility open. I worked with Senator Isakson to successfully bring $4.6 million in road improvements and $3 million in rail improvements to the Ford Plant in Hapeville just this past year. I will continue to work overtime to ensure that the employees are provided with needed assistance in this difficult period of transition for them."

Ford announced it will close 14 manufacturing facilities by 2012 and today announced the idling of 7 of those plants. The closures are part of a process to restructure the company and streamline the divisions which are losing money. Although Ford announced this morning a $2 billion annual profit last year, the growth was in their Ford Credit Service Division. The auto manufacturing division actually lost $1.2 billion last year, prompting today's layoffs.

http://davidscott.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=38621