Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: After 20 years the recently schizophrenic (constantly changing  its menu) Cow Hollow’s Betelnut restaurant  shutting down, the greedy property owner did not want to renew the lease.

Colorado: In Colorado Springs, hand tool maker Western Forge WARNed of “a strong possibility” of 150 layoffs over the next seven months!  Evil debt collector EOS CCA issued a WARN saying it will shutdown its Denver office and layoff 60 people right before Thanksgiving.  Like other corporations they are consolidating their operations.

Idaho: What construction industry recovery? Aecom Technology reported to kill off the last of Boise based construction company Morrison-Knudsen, the remaining 75 jobs lost between now and Xmas.

Illinois: Springfield’s Hope Institute for Children and Families ending its autism program due to the state ‘lawmakers’ suspending the taxpayer funding.

Indiana: The Mishawaka OfficeMax shutting down in time for Thanksgiving, about 20 jobs lost.  Pall Filter Specialists issued a shutdown WARN for their 43 years old Michigan City factory, 28 jobs lost before Thanksgiving.

Massachusetts: Too Big to Jail Citigroup shutting down six Boston Weak offices and another 11 offices around the state.   Citigroup actually said the 650-thousand+ population of Boston isn’t big enough for its new business model: “In Boston, Citi’s retail banking presence does not provide such scale so we are reallocating resources.”  

New Mexico: The Albuquerque OfficeMax on Wyoming NE shutting down in time for Thanksgiving, about 20 jobs lost.  After more than 40 years the Alpine Sausage Kitchen shutting down by the end of the month.  The owners said the bad economy is a sign they need to retire.  In a sign that the growing popularity of food trucks is actually destroying brick-n-mortar restaurants, the Albuquerque city council created a law saying food trucks must stay at least 100 feet from any brick-n-mortar op.  After only three months, Witch’s Brew coffee shop shutdown blaming money problems.

New York: In NYC, Toys “R” Us – Delaware issued a shutdown and mass layoff WARN, saying 373 people will become jobless right after Xmas!  Iconic Trinity Boxing Club shutting down due to the rent being jacked up, the new landlord wants $60-thousand USD per month!!!  E-book operator Oyster is no more as Google hired away most of the talent.   In Rochester, after eight years baby boutique Luvaboos shutting down  once everything is sold.  It’s blamed on internet competition and one of the co-owners is going to make more money as a teacher.

Oklahoma: In Enid, after 21 years Soccer World shutting down as soon as the inventory is gone.

Ohio:  What automotive industry recovery?  Troubled bearing maker Kyklos Bearing International (KBI) issued a mass layoff WARN saying 177 people will be laid off after Thanksgiving!  In June KBI agreed to pay a fine of $50-thousand USD regarding discrimination against disabled people, and in February employees warned of a plant shutdown if the union and corporate weenie heads didn’t agree to new wage terms.  Hydraulic gear pump maker Parker Hannifin says it has to shutdown its Youngstown factory over the next 18 months due to global competition, 137 jobs lost!  In Lima, the famous Hawthorne Hills golf course shutting down after 52 years: “We just can’t get the course as a business to function.”-Paul Scheiwiller, co-owner

Oregon: After 80 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Shleifer Furniture shutting down as soon as the inventory is gone, because the owner sold the property.  Supposedly the new property owner is going to renovate the building that was built in Gregorian year 1906.

Pennsylvania: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia owned SABIC Innovative Plastics shutting down its Thorndale factory, at least 51 jobs lost.  The company explanation also revealed no local economic recovery is expected: “Over the past several years, SABIC’s customer base, who purchase unique LNP compounds, is increasingly located in the Pacific, and this trend is expected to accelerate….” 

Rhode Island: After 70 years clothier Wilson’s of Wickford shutdown blaming “very difficult economic times and many personal challenges”.

Tennessee: In Maryville, after 45 years Dubb’s Restaurant shutdown due to the death of one of the co-owners.

Texas: An accidentally leaked internal memo from oil giant Halliburton revealed more layoffs in the works, this time targeting management.  Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) forced upscale doctor owned for-profit Forest Park Medical Center at Frisco to go chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  According to a local news report “…a tightening of a pre-existing law under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, essentially bans physician-owned facilities such as Forest Park from receiving Medicare and Medicare reimbursements…”

Wisconsin:  W.D. Hoard & Sons shutting down its printing ops due to the merger with Royle Printing, 33 jobs lost.   In Milwaukee, after ten years the Buckhead Saloon shutting down. The owner swears he’ll re-open as soon as he can figure out a new plan.  

22 September 2015: Grocery store kills 13,097 jobs in one state!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

Former employees who receive severance are not counted as unemployed

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) no longer issues mass layoff reports: “On March 1, 2013, President Obama ordered into effect the across-the- board spending cuts (commonly referred to as sequestration) required by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act, as amended. Under the order, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) must cut its current budget by more than $30 million, 5 percent of the current 2013 appropriation, by September 30, 2013. In order to help achieve these savings and protect core programs, the BLS will eliminate two programs, including Mass Layoff Statistics, and all ‘measuring green jobs’ products. This news release is the final publication of monthly mass layoff survey data.”