In Washington, the Spokane Country Club now bankrupt after losing gender discrimination lawsuit. And Boeing will layoff 1500 IT employees in Puget Sound! Over the next three years IT operations will be moved to Missouri and South Carolina. The Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital laid off 19 employees. It’s blamed on declining customers, and that damned Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care) for drastic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding. And Tacoma Public Schools wants to let go at least 10 career and tech teachers. It’s blamed on reduced state funding and declining enrollment. (I’ve asked this before: Where are all the students going?)
In Indiana, orthopedic products maker Zimmer laid off at least 50 employees. Company officials blame it on that damned Affordable Health Care Act (Obama/Romney Care), which created a new federal medical device tax.
In New York, the volunteer run children’s charity High Top Shop shut down. The operators think they can raise more money by going back to their grass roots fundraising efforts. The Ticonderoga School District says it needs to layoff about 12 employees and raise local taxes. They’re in debt, and funding is being reduced.
The Brandywine School District, in Delaware, laying off 19 employees. Teachers blame the state government: “The state needs to recognize and fund technology support. The state has so many demands on the school districts to implement all this technology that they don’t want to pay for people to run it, and that’s where we’re stuck right now.”-Karen Kennedy, Federation Local 762
In Kentucky, Union College laid off 11 employees. College officials said they must become more efficient, it was cut the jobs or raise tuition by 30%!
In oil rich North Dakota, the Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota laid off eight employees. It’s blamed on reduced federal funding, and reduced funding from energy companies.
South Carolina based Kemet laid off 202 employees globally. More layoffs planned. They blame it on crashing sales of their capacitors. Beaufort County’s only camera and photo shop shut down. The owners of Island Photo and Camera blamed the bad economy and internet competition.
In Florida, food service company FreshPoint North Florida let go at least 79 employees. The company has been laying off employees and closing operations around the country since last year. I haven’t found an article that explains why. Also, U.S. Navy contractor East Coast Repair and Fabrication announced more layoffs. At least ten people will loose their jobs in August. In April 25 people lost their jobs. It’s blamed on uncertainties about federal taxpayer funding.
More layoffs for Pratt & Whitney. At least 3000 jobs to be cut by the end of the year! The company is ending its military F100 and F117 jet engine programs.
In Texas, Texarkana’s Twice as Nice Fashions shut down after 41 years in business.
The August Wilson Center for African American Culture, in Pennsylvania, laid off about 10 employees (half its staff), and ended free admissions. The Center has not been able to make payments on a $7 million USD loan!
In Ohio, J. Gumbo’s Cajun & Creole restaurant closed. It actually closed at the end of April without notice. The owners are not happy campers: “Wasn’t in the budget. Hence we’re closed!”
Loopy’s Dollar store closed in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The stores have been closing across South Dakota in the past two years.
In Michigan, Second Chance Clothing closed after 30 years of business. The owners said the economy is so bad they can’t even break even.
Louisiana based IberiaBank closing nine branch offices by the end of this year. It’s not the first time, and bank officials blame the bad economy: “We’ve taken small bites of this before, but again considering circumstances, a larger bite is necessary.”-Michael Brown, COO
In New Jersey, after 60 years of movies, the Allwood Cinema 6 in Clifton closed. The theater is another victim of the Romney style vulture capitalist Bow Tie Cinemas.
After 62 years of operations, The Floor Shop in Fredericksburg, Virginia, closed down.