Incomplete list of announced closings and layoffs:

Alabama: Wiregrass Medical Center laid off at least 20 employees. Hospital officials say Obama Care is forcing them to “…cut $1.2-million…”! Hospital CEO, Jim Heitzenrater, said Affordable Health Care has hospital officials scrambling to figure out how they’ll stay alive under Obama Care.  What automotive industry recovery?  In Opelika, Benteler Automotive shutdown, 115 jobs lost!  All across the Yellowhammer State six Food World grocery stores shutdown. At least 500 jobs affected!

Arizona: In Scottsdale, Martini Ranch entertainment venue shutdown after 19 years of live shows.

California: In Salinas, the River Ranch Fresh Foods packing operation shutdown. More than 170 jobs lost! Owners said costs to fresh pack produce keep going up while sales keep going down! Sutter Health laid off at least 17 employees across the Golden State.

Colorado: In Fort Collins, Office Depot shutdown. Company officials said the property owner refused to reduce the rent.

Connecticut: In Danielson, after 46 years Gil’s Shoe Barn shutdown.

Georgia: In Cave Springs, Country Cousins gift store shutdown.

Indiana: Too Big to Jail, Citizens Financial Bank laid off at least 84 employees.  It’s blamed on First Merchants taking over the bank. Bank officials revealed that they consider IT employees to be “redundant” and are the first to be laid off.

Iowa: What automotive industry recovery? In Lake Mills, Cummins Filtration shutting down by the end of 2014.  80 jobs will be lost.

Florida: What housing market recovery? In Jacksonville, PHH Mortgage laid off 365 people!  It’s blamed on crashing demand in home loans.  All across the Sunshine State six Food World grocery stores shutdown, at least 500 jobs affected!

Maryland: Major tax sucker and baby killer Lockheed Martin laid off 3-thousand employees!!!  It’s blamed on military budget cuts.

Michigan: In Harvey, Walstrom’s Restaurant shutdown after 51 years of food.  The restaurant owner blamed ever increasing rent and taxes.

Minnesota: In Duluth, Garon Brothers jewelers shutdown.  They are focusing on internet sales only.

Nebraska: In Lincoln, Murray’s for Men of Stature shutdown.  Also, Kent’s Mens Shoes shutdown.

New York: In Queensbury, cancer drug delivery systems maker Delcath laid off 21 workers.  They blame it on the U.S. FDA.  In Rochester, Bausch + Lomb laid off 24 employees.  It’s blamed on the new Bausch + Lomb owner, Valeant Pharmaceuticals.  In Glenn Falls, a Blockbuster video store shutdown.

North Carolina: Computer seller Lenovo reported a “small” number of layoffs, even though their sales are up.

Ohio: What housing market recovery?  In West Chester, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo shutdown their mortgage office, 63 jobs lost.  It’s blamed on crashing home loan demand.

Oklahoma: Prosthetics manufacturer OrthoCare Innovations shutdown.  The company is moving to Washington.

Texas: In Plano, Christian owned Dillards upscale department store shutdown. 101 jobs lost!  In Bryan, after 102 years of operations Parker-Astin Hardware shutdown.  The current owner, Zane Anderson, bought the store in 2005 because he “loved” it. He says the bad economy killed his dream!

Washington: In Olympia, a Office Max shutdown. It’s blamed on the merger of Office Max and Office Depot.

Wisconsin: In La Crosse, clothing store Scott Joseph Menswear shutdown after only eight years. It was the only men’s clothing store in town. The pissed off owner blames the bad economy: “It was a tough decision, but I just can’t get ahead. I thought the economy would come around.”-Scott Koenen