Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:
California: What housing market recovery? In Santa Monica, RMR Financial (aka Princeton Capital, Mortgage California) announced they are laying off 12 people in October. In Palo Alto, taxsucker Space Systems-Loral announced they will layoff 53 employees in October. In Rancho Cucamonga, personal loan maker Springleaf Finance announced they are shutting down in October. In Corona, legal drugs pusher Actavis announced they will layoff 48 people in October.
Delaware: Phoenix Payment Systems (aka Electronic Payment Exchange) now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, it’s all part of their plan to sell themselves off.
Florida: U.S. pipeline and natural gas power plant operator Entegra Power now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. The creditors will now operate the company. Entegra Power has operations in Florida, Arkansas and Arizona.
Illinois: Oak Brook based McDonalds now saying there is no economic recovery! The iconic fast food restaurant told investors that sales are only getting worse! Company officials say their most promising restaurants, in Russia and China, are now under attack by the respective governments, and sales in the U.S. continue to go down!
Indiana: Non-profit behavioral and development treatment center Damar Services laid off 44 employees. In Thorntown, reports that Railer’s IGA grocery store shutdown.
Michigan: In Birmingham, after 61 years Napier’s Kennel Shop shutdown. The owner was paid off to become the manager of a rival pet shop.
Minnesota: After 77 years, Roberts Shoe Store shutdown. The owner blames the bad economy: “Emotionally, it’s difficult. I’m hoping I’m not letting down anyone, especially my in-laws. It’s not a business model that is really workable right now. I think it’s time for all of us to move on.”-Mark Simon
New Jersey: Troubled for profit higher education company Anthem Institute shutting down all four locations in the Garden State, 163 jobs lost!
New Mexico: What housing market recovery? In Couldcroft, iconic Lodge Resort & Spa to be auctioned off in September. The partnership between owners has been dissolved. Also, the U.S. Census Bureau says homeownership is crashing in the Land of Enchantment. For the 2nd quarter of 2014 it fell to 63.9%, compare that to 1st quarter 2011 when it was 72.8%. Crashing homeownership rates correspond to skyrocketing unemployment in New Mexico.
New York: In NYC, ARAMARK Business Dining Services announced they are shutting down in October, 28 jobs lost. In Bay Shore, logistics company Remy USA Industries announced they are shutting down in November, 271 jobs lost!
North Carolina: Ignite Social Media announced it will layoff 50 or more employees (about half its employees). This is more proof brick-n-mortar operators can’t blame the internet for their troubles, as the company founder Jim Tobin said social media advertising “It’s a rough business…”
Ohio: Obama Care killing jobs with Trumbull Memorial Hospital. The operator, ValleyCare Health System, says they have to make changes to their nursing program because of Obama Care. They will replace 47 licensed practical nurses with registered nurses and nursing assistants. In Columbus, Pennsylvania based Giant Eagle grocery store on West Fifth and Grandview avenues being shutdown. Company officials did not give a date or explanation.
Pennsylvania: In Exton, envelope maker Cenveo laid off 108 employees! It’s the result of their take over of rival National Envelope last year. In York, Macy’s shutting down in October, 69 jobs lost.
Texas: What housing market recovery? Austin based construction contractor and designer Biscayne Group now chapter 7 bankrupt busted. Biscayne Group is a major operation that has worked on big projects across the country. Chapter 7 usually means the company will cease to exist.
Washington: U.S. Army joint base Lewis-McChord warned it will start killing 102 sillyvilian (civilian) jobs in January!
The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.
“Our ideals and principles, as well as our national security…That’s what makes America different. That’s what makes us exceptional.”-Barack Obama, 10 September 2013