Category Archives: Business/Economics

Business/Economics, Idaho

“Before Christmas…we’re all going to lose our jobs!” Evil Mormon MTC kicked out of Washington? Cabela’s for sale? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 01 – 03 December 2015

 

Georgia:  Savannah based (and owned by tax-sucking General Dynamics) aircraft maker to the elites Gulfstream eliminating 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs across the U.S.!  Administrators said it was the result of their “evaluations” of where the U.S. economy is heading (down the shit-hole).

Idaho:  Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the average income for Idahoans is crashing and burning!  The U.S. Census Bureau also reports an increase in poverty in the State nicknamed The Gem State!   

According to the Idaho Department of Education more than 60 school districts saw decreasing enrollment, even though the overall statewide enrollment levels were up from last year.  For unknown reasons School District 2 (West Ada) is seeing the lion’s share of enrollment increase, far outpacing the next four districts with the top enrollment.

In Nampa, after 28 years the facility for ‘troubled girls’ Syringa House shutting down because the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare stopped sending them ‘troubled girls’.

 The idiot ‘conservative lawmakers’ screwed over the taxpayers again!  The Idaho Supreme Court has ruled that taxpayers must pay the Coeur d’Alene Tribe about $57-thousand USD concerning competition from Round Eye operated horse racing casinos.  An earlier court ruling shut those equine gambling ops down.

Illinois:  Richland Community College laying off staff and refusing to pay MAP grants to students, blaming the failed state ‘lawmakers’ for failing to come up with a budget!

Iowa: Alliant Energy shutting down its Dubuque power plant by June 2017.

Massachusetts:  3D Systems shutting down in the Boston Weak state and eliminating 85 jobs, calling it a “strategic decision”.  After 40 years popular Yenching restaurant shutdown without warning, no explanation just a ‘thank you’ note taped to the door.

Nebraska: Sterling based outdoor adventure store Cabela’s is looking for a new owner, reports say a major stockholder (Elliott Management) is disappointed in continued declining sales and wants to bail.

Nevada: Las Vegas based comic publisher and toy maker Wizard eliminating much coveted jobs with its Wizard World convention ops!  Administrators say the suck-ass economy is forcing them to run their conventions as “efficiently as possible”.

New Mexico: In the city who has the most corrupted cops (according to the U.S. Department of Justice), the Albuquerque Journal eliminated eight customer service jobs, that’s just over half of the customer service positions.  Kroger shutting down their Smith’s grocery store in Socorro, 66 jobs lost in January 2016.

New York:  What construction industry recovery?  Pre-fab building maker FC Modular issued a WARN warning that they might shutdown their Brooklyn Navy Yard ops in February 2016, 194 jobs could be lost!  Too Big to Jail Sterling National Bank issued a layoff WARN,  nine people losing their jobs by March 2016.

Ohio: Zanesville based recycler Axion International chapter 11 bankrupt busted and selling its assets.  In Eldina,The Master’s Touch Floral shutting down after Xmas.  The owner admitted she doesn’t have enough sales to hire more employees, which would make her job much easier, so she’s giving up after 18 years.   Chester Packaging issued a shutdown WARN, 79 jobs lost by April 2016.

Pennsylvania:  Drugs pusher Philidor Rx Services finally revealed to state administrators that they shutdown, back on 23 November, 262 jobs lost!  Bemis Healthcare Packaging shutting down in January 2016, no job numbers given.  Illinois based food maker Mondelēz International issued a WARN for their Philadelphia ops, 251 jobs to be lost!  Food maker Cargill issued shutdown WARNs for three operations in Lititz, 125 jobs lost in January 2016!  At the end of November train car maker ACF issued a WARN saying 181 people will lose their jobs, now local news reports say it’s actually more than 3-hundred jobs being eliminated sometime in January 2016!  PA Media group eliminated seven jobs, blaming grocery chain stores for ending their Sunday Edition advertising.

Texas:   In Fort Worth, Forest Park Medical Center chapter 11 bankrupt busted and for sale.  After eliminating more than 10-thousand oil field jobs this year, Houston based Schlumberger warned that 2016 will be just as bad saying more jobs will be lost due to “expected reduced activity”.  In El Paso, after 123 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Union Fashion shutting down after Xmas.  It’s blamed on the suck-ass economy.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery?  Sweden based Volvo announced it will eliminate 734 jobs at their truck factory in Dublin, starting in February 2016!  Local news report said that back in September Volvo execs promised the gov’na they would be hiring more people!

Washington:  The evil Utah based Mormon for profit “facilities” operator Management & Training Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its Sedro Woolley op, 90 evil taxpayer funded jobs lost at the end of January 2016 (good riddance!).  Redmond based Microsoft eliminating 60 jobs in Israel, claiming it will bring those jobs back home to the U.S. of A.

Washington DC:  More proof ObamaCare (Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act) is a big fail; yet again the cost of paying for healthcare went up, to a record $3-trillion USD in 2014!

West Virginia: In Wierton, the Ponderosa Steakhouse shutting down before Xmas, 30 jobs lost due to new property owners: “I love my job here, and I love my customers. Before Christmas, you know, we’re all going to lose our jobs!”-Shari Stillwagoner, employee

Wisconsin: D&S Manufacturing laid off 26 people, blaming the suck-ass global economy: “In the industry we serve, there’s competition from all over the world now. It’s global, there’s no question … It’s very competitive and it’s getting more challenging.”-John Barkley, vp

28-30 November 2015: More ‘Green’ companies bite the eco-dust! More taxpayer rip-off artists!

U.S. Food Crisis, November 2015: “I sit at night and I worry that…this time somebody got shot…”

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.”

Business/Economics

Sears Kmart update 01 December 2015: Corporate cannibalism in Canada!

In Canada:  The New Glasgow Highland Square Mall Sears shutting down in September 2016.  The lease will not renewed.    The Sears Home Store in Saskatoon shutting down in April 2016.    The lease will not be renewed.  Sears Canada revealed they’ve sold two distribution centers for a grand total of $108.5-million CAD.  Interestingly, Sears Canada will continue to use one of those distribution centers.  What this means is they are desperate for cash and are engaging in what I call corporate cannibalism.  (Sears hires another executive known for corporate cannibalism!)

In Mississippi, U.S.A.: Foolish Anniston city leaders are considering spending taxpayer dollars to ‘repurpose’ the vacant Kmart property.  They’ll pay up to $3-million USD in rebates to anybody who can make it work!

Other Sears & Kmart news involves Massachusetts and New jersey, here’s the updated list of U.S. store closings that I’ve been compiling since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors. Recently revealed Arrowhead Towne Center Sears sold-off then rented back! Chandler Fashion Center Sears sold-off then rented back!

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost), Birmingham Eastwood Kmart (70 jobs lost), Decatur Mall Sears (91 jobs lost), Fort Payne Kmart, Northport Kmart (68 jobs lost), Dothan Sears (68 jobs lost), Huntsville Kmart (73 jobs lost), Sears Store and Auto Center at the Bel Air Mall in Mobile (more than 100 jobs lost).

California: El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (more than 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart, Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!), Rancho Cordova Kmart (97 jobs lost), San Clemente Kmart/Sears/Kmart on Camino de Estrella (58 jobs lost), placed on an official hit list in 2011 the Oceanside Kmart on College Boulevard finally being shut down, Banning Kmart (91 jobs lost) recently revealed that Sears Holdings is still paying rent on the abandoned property, Laguna Hills Mall Sears, San Diego Mid-City Kmart (73 jobs lost), Hemet Kmart (77 jobs lost), Oakland Sears repair center (75 jobs lost), San Mateo Kmart (82 jobs lost to an apartment building connected to public transportation), Hesperia Kmart building sold at a loss to a vulture capitalist REIT, no word on if the Kmart will be shutdown. Customers complain that the Kmart employees have a bad attitude, gee I wonder why? Yuba City Kmart (63 jobs lost), Rocklin Kmart (at least 63 jobs lost, the store had just posted “Now Hiring” signs), San Leandro Kmart (102 jobs lost), San Jose Mercury News says the El Centro Kmart to shutdown in January, the website Foursquare says the Covina Kmart is now shutdown (other sources say it will shutdown in December), Cupertino Sears and Auto Center (98 jobs lost), somebody posted on yelp* that the Diamond Bar Kmart was shutting down in December (confirmed by Armijo Newspapers), Westfield Topanga Sears (122 jobs lost), it looks like the Blythe Kmart is being slowly shutdown despite denial by Sears Holdings. San Mateo Kmart being demolished to make room for 599 unit apartment complex, as part of the the Hayward Park Caltrain Station project. Atwater Kmart (74 jobs lost), Los Banos Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Colorado: Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost), Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40), Colorado Springs Kmart at Powers and Palmer Park boulevards (57 jobs lost), Fort Collins Sears (67 jobs lost), Denver-Cherry Creek North Sears store & Auto Center (66 jobs lost).

Connecticut: Waterbury Big Kmart, Torrington Kmart (73 jobs lost), Enfield Sears Optical (no word on jobs lost), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (employees say the shutdown was a surprise, I guess they don’t read Blind Bat News), Wallingford Sears Appliance & Hardware (at least 13 jobs lost).

Delaware: Dover Kmart (at least 72 jobs lost, some reports said 100), Seaford Sears (30 jobs lost), Claymont Kmart (87 jobs lost).

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart, Panama City Beach Kmart (54 jobs lost), Winter Park Kmart (100 jobs lost), Niceville Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winter Haven Kmart (92 jobs lost), Palm Bay Kmart, Oakland Park Kmart (112 jobs lost), Clearwater Sears Auto Center (21 jobs lost), Zephyrhills Kmart (70 jobs lost), Winter Springs Kmart (69 jobs lost), Naples Kmart (72 jobs lost), New Port Richey Kmart (58 jobs lost), ‘redevelopment’ of Aventura Sears & Auto Center into an “open-air village” (unknown how many jobs affected), Kmart on Northeast 108 Street being annexed by Miami Shores, Sears Holdings threatens to shutdown Kmart as a result of higher local taxes. The property that’s home to an operating Kmart, on South Green Bay Road in Racine, was foreclosed by the local Sheriff and sold-off for $2.5-million, no word on what the new property owner will do with it. Fort Myers Kmart (67 jobs lost). Dicks Sportings Goods subleasing space in an existing Sears store in Palm Beach Gardens.

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost), Hiram Kmart (53 jobs lost), Marietta-East Cobb Kmart, Warner Robins Kmart (77 jobs lost), Coweta County Kmart distribution center (164 jobs lost), one of the last two North Augusta Kmart to be torn down by new property owner from Canada, Sears Holdings denies the Kmart will shutdown.

Guam: Sears Hometown Store.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost! GGP spending $573-million chopping it up into smaller store spaces), Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost), Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Rexburg Kmart (63 jobs lost), Chubbuck Pine Ridge Mall Sears shutdown by the end of October/beginning of November 2014 (the remaining 28 jobs lost). Across the street, in Pocatello, the property where the Kmart is located has a “pad site available” sign, posted ever since the Kmart bankruptcy. The Kmart building takes up most of the ‘pad’. Latest news from inside sources say Sears Holdings will not comment on any plans to expand the small amount of Craftsman products already being sold at the Kmart, or shift the Kenmore products line, from the closing Chubbuck Sears to the Pocatello Kmart. In fact all plans for the Pokey Kmart are in a ‘holding pattern’.

Illinois: Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost), Homewood Kmart (185 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (91 jobs lost?) revealed is now a perpetual closing sale Kmart At A Discount store, Champaign’s Market Place Mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (60 jobs lost), Montgomery Kmart (81 jobs lost), Mattoon Sears (more than 40 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North State Street (160 jobs lost), Chicago Sears Craftsman Experience store, Galesburg Sears (46 jobs lost), White Lake Township Kmart (42 jobs lost), Orland Park Sears Appliance, Collinsville Kmart (84 jobs lost), Crystal Lake Kmart (at least 77 jobs lost), Danville Sears store & Auto Center (63 jobs lost), Forsyth Sears store & Auto Center (45 jobs lost), Peoria Kmart (73 jobs lost), Forest Park Kmart (107 jobs lost), Chicago Sears on North and Harlem avenues, supposedly it’s being replaced (most likely at taxpayer expense) with a new building and it will become a Sears-Mariano’s store, Bloomington Kmart (79 jobs lost), Hoffman Estates Headquarters 100 jobs eliminated, another 15 corporate jobs eliminated elsewhere, Chicago-Wicker Park Kmart (106 jobs lost), abandoned Market Place Mall Sears location to be occupied by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Field & Stream. 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale. North Mayfair Kmart (99 jobs lost), Chicago Kmart at 5033 North Elston Avenue (99 jobs lost). By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state. The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Indiana: Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost), South Anthony Kmart (70 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on South Anthony Boulevard (70 jobs lost), FairOaks Mall Kmart, Logansport Sears (43 jobs lost), Muncie Kmart (59 jobs lost), Fort Wayne Kmart on Coliseum Boulevard North (69 jobs lost), Decatur Kmart (49 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Madison Avenue (131 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart on Washington Street (139 jobs lost), Bedford Kmart (62 jobs lost), Indianapolis (Evansville) Sears & Auto Center at Washington Square Mall (91 jobs lost), Greenwood Kmart (78 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (68 jobs lost), Bloomington Sears to be replaced by Whole Foods grocery store.

Iowa: Cedar Rapids Kmart on 16th Ave (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year), Cedar Rapids Kmart on Collins Road NE (56 jobs lost), Mason City Kmart (50 jobs lost), Clive Kmart (at least 49 jobs lost), Ames Kmart (44 jobs lost), Fort Dodge Sears (no job loss numbers made public, yet. The Auto Center was secretly shutdown in September), 56 years old Mason City Sears & Auto Center (more than 100 jobs lost).   Davenport Kmart (59 jobs lost), Belvidere Kmart (67 jobs lost).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Merriam Kmart-then Sears-then Kmart (jobs lost unknown), Wichita Sears store & Auto Center (103 jobs lost), Manhattan Sears & Auto Center (number of jobs lost were never revealed).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart, Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Fayette Mall Sears (114 jobs lost!), Newport Kmart (81 jobs lost), Cannonsburg Sears and Sears Auto Center (no employee info given), Louisville Dixie Highway Kmart/Sears/Kmart shutdown and now being taken over by Kroger basically to sell the same crap the old Kmart did! Madisonville Kmart (39 jobs lost), Owensboro Sears store & Auto Center (52 jobs lost).

Louisiana: Slidell Sears (77 job lost), Gretna Kmart (94 jobs lost), Metairie Kmart secretly sold off, no word if it will be shutdown, Laplace Sears Hometown Store.

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Aroostook Centre Mall Sears (63 jobs lost), Aroostook Centre Mall Sears Auto Center leased out to VIP Tires & Service.

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors, Landover Sears rebuild & call center (115 jobs lost), Baltimore Kmart on Wabash Avenue (107 jobs lost), Parkville Kmart (102 jobs lost), California Kmart (71 jobs lost), Sears Hometown Store in Perryville.

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).   Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive shutting down.  Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark.   Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store.  The Sears at the Auburn Mall shutdown on Black Friday due to electrical fire.  The store was experiencing electrical problems, an investigation is underway.  

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials, Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Saginaw Kmart on Bay Road, Flint Kmart on Dort Highway (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost), Sterling Kmart (58 jobs lost), Bloomfield Township Kmart and Sears, Bad Axe Kmart (61 jobs lost), Ypsilanti Township Kmart (83 jobs lost), Petoskey Kmart (45 jobs lost), Saint John’s Kmart (48 jobs lost), White Lake Township “Store of the Future” Kmart (42 jobs lost), Grand Blanc Kmart (49 jobs lost), Lapeer Kmart (56 jobs lost), Southgate Kmart (155 jobs lost), Detroit’s Telegraph Road Kmart (115 jobs lost), Waterford Township Sears (no word on how many jobs lost), Rochester Hills Kmart (77 jobs lost), ‘perfect Kmart town’ of Port Huron Kmart (188 jobs lost), Flint Kmart on Miller Road (81 jobs lost), Burton Kmart (85 jobs lost), Madison Heights Kmart (179 jobs lost), it’s now official the last remaining Saginaw Kmart (on Gratiot Road) will remain shutdown after its roof collapsed during a snowstorm back in January 2014 (Sears Holdings claims only 18 people worked there at the time of the collapse!), Ann Arbor Kmart (59 jobs lost), Iron Mountain Kmart (54 jobs lost), Bangor Township Sears aka Bay City Mall Sears, the Auto Center was already secretly shutdown some time ago (at least 47 jobs lost), Big Rapids Kmart (about 50 jobs lost). Vacant Wyandotte Sears Auto Center is being renovated at a cost to taxpayers of $1-million & 20-thousand, plus 15 years worth of tax breaks valued at $2-million! Shakopee Kmart distribution center shutdown and sold-off for $17-million in 2013, now it’s finally getting a new tenant; snowmobile and electric cart maker Polaris Industries will rent out a fraction of the building to use as their new parts warehouse. The Kmart Plaza in Sandusky sold to “A group of investors”, no word on what will happen to the Kmart store.

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost), the entire Sears store in the Apache Mall being sold off, Fergus Falls Kmart (40 jobs lost), Fergus Falls Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Alexandria Kmart (46 jobs lost), Grand Rapids Kmart (61 jobs lost), Seritage is selling off three Sears Auto Centers in Minnetonka, Brooklyn Center and Saint Paul, Marshall Kmart (57 jobs lost), Oakdale Kmart (77 hourly wage employees losing their jobs, unknown how many salaried employees will become unemployed), Winona Kmart (67 jobs lost), Minneapolis city officials trying to shutdown profit making Nicollet Avenue Kmart, to make way for a new road. Anoka Kmart (47 jobs lost), Blaine Kmart (60 jobs lost), Burnsville Kmart (62 jobs lost), Waite Park Kmart (57 jobs lost), Northeast Minneapolis Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale, Coon Rapids Sears Hometown & Outlet store now for sale.

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Gulfport Kmart (32 jobs lost), Pass Road Gulfport Kmart (52 jobs lost), Pascagoula Sears at the Singing River Mall, Olive Branch distribution center (unknown how many jobs lost).

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost), Ellisville Kmart (55 jobs lost), Springfield Kmart on South Campbell Avenue (60 jobs lost), South Belt Kmart (64 jobs lost), Florissant Kmart (100 jobs lost), O’Fallon Kmart (76 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost), Great Falls Kmart (closed “until further notice” due to fire, 63 jobs on hold), Great Falls Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost) due to great sales (ironically) the shutdown date has been moved from 07 December 2014 to 23 November, Bozeman Kmart (37 jobs lost), Missoula Sears store and Auto Center (57 jobs lost).

Nebraska: Grand Island Kmart (55 jobs lost), Omaha Kmart near West Maple Road (50 jobs lost).

Nevada: Sparks Kmart distribution center (100 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials, Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost), Claremont Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New Jersey: Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost), Berlin Kmart, Dover Kmart (92 jobs lost), Randolf Kmart (91 jobs lost), Paramus Kmart (74 jobs lost), Closter Kmart (102 jobs lost), Vineland Kmart (74 jobs lost).  After 18 years Sears Holdings shutdown their Roselle Sears Hardware store due to “landlord issues”. 

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost), Albuquerque Kmart on Central SW (80 jobs lost), Rio Rancho Kmart (59 jobs lost).

New York: Lindenhurst Sears Hardware, North Babylon Sears Hardware, Hauppauge Sears Hardware, Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost), Colonie Kmart (72 jobs lost), Fulton Kmart (51 jobs lost), Clifton Park Kmart (74 jobs lost) now revealed to be turned into a Town Center with more than 200 apartments at an estimated cost of $50-million, Latham Kmart (61 jobs lost), East Greenbush-Rensselaer Kmart (70 jobs lost), Tonawanda Sears Appliance and Hardware, Bronx Sears (91 jobs lost), BBN reader reported that the Ithaca Sears and Auto Center shutdown and one month later it’s been officially confirmed (at least 37 jobs lost), DeWitt Kmart (92 jobs lost), Auburn Sears (51 jobs lost), Massena Sears and Auto Center (51 jobs lost), Staten Island Mall Sears leased out to Ireland’s Primark, Bay Shore Sears and Sears Auto Center (144 jobs lost), New Hartford Sears & Auto Center (109 jobs lost), Lancaster Kmart sold for $1.7-million to Dave’s Christmas Wonderland. Herkimer Sears Hometown, Saranac Lake Sears Hometown the ‘independent’ co-owners said Sears Holdings forced them to shutdown. Melville Appliance Repair Division (31 jobs lost).

North Carolina: Cary Kmart (71 jobs lost), High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost), West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road, Raleigh Kmart (88 jobs lost), Garner Kmart, Cleveland County mall Sears (56 jobs lost), Charlotte Kmart (89 jobs lost), Conover Kmart (74 jobs lost), Raleigh Kmart on Capital Boulevard (53 jobs lost), High Point Kmart (71 jobs lost), Boone Kmart (41 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart (96 jobs lost), Gastonia Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost), Kinston Kmart (64 jobs lost), Cary Sears (66 jobs lost), Greensboro Kmart distribution center (130 jobs lost), Greenville Kmart (75 jobs lost), Kinston Sears Hometown Store shutdown with little notice, Lexington Sears Hometown Store.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost), Dickinson Kmart (41 jobs lost, despite a “Now Hiring” sign on the front of the store).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard, London Kmart (no word on number of jobs lost), Trotwood Sears (67 jobs lost), Westlake Kmart/Sears (at least 57 jobs lost), Xenia Kmart (at least 57 jobs lost), Norwalk Kmart (52 jobs lost), Blue Ash Kmart (77 jobs lost), Northwood Sears at Woodville Mall (36 jobs lost), Conneaut Kmart (43 jobs lost), Anderson Township Kmart (71 jobs lost), Brooklyn Kmart (200 jobs lost), Columbus Lockbourne Industrial Parkway Sears distribution center (200 jobs lost), also in Columbus, Sears Product Rebuild-Call Center (112 jobs lost), Marion Sears Auto Center (at least nine jobs lost), Springfield Kmart #3767 (68 jobs lost), Fairborn Kmart (66 jobs lost), Solon Sears & Auto Center (at least 53 jobs lost), Tiffin Sears Hometown Store. Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location. Fairlawn Sears Appliance & Hardware, Macedonia Sears Appliance & Hardware, Lorain Sears Appliance & Hardware, Elyria Sears Appliance & Hardware, North Olmsted Sears Appliance & Hardware, Sheffield Village Sears Appliance & Hardware, Akron Sears Appliance & Hardware.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants), Shawnee Sears (31 jobs lost), Sand Springs Kmart (52 jobs lost), Muskogee Sears (60 jobs lost), Enid Sears and Auto Center (at least 38 jobs lost), Tulsa BigKmart (51 jobs lost).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost), Bend Sears (48 jobs lost), Klamath Falls Kmart (64 jobs lost), Albany Kmart (64 jobs lost), Portland Sears Homes Services (no notice), Albany Sears (57 jobs lost), in October a BBN reader warned that Oregon City Kmart was being quietly shutdown, confirmed on 06 November 2014 by Sears Holdings (70 jobs lost). Ontario Kmart (55 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost), Philadelphia Gallery Mall Kmart (120 jobs lost), Philadelphia Kmart on Orthodox Street and Castor Avenue (169 jobs lost), Levittown/Middle Township Kmart (87 jobs lost), Waynesboro Kmart (43 jobs lost), Sanatoga-Lower Pottsgrove Kmart (65 jobs lost, the store was also advertising for new hires!), West Mifflin Sears store & Auto Center (88 jobs lost), Rochester Kmart (78 jobs lost), Frazer (Pittsburg Mills Mall) Sears and Auto Center (97 jobs lost), Bloomsburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Frackville Sears and Auto Center (84 jobs lost), North Cornwall Township Sears (51 jobs lost), King of Prussia Sears and Auto Center (no word on number of jobs lost), Lebanon Sears (51 jobs lost), Scotland Chambersburg Mall Sears and Auto Center (62 jobs lost), the upper level of the Willow Grove Mall Sears store to be leased by Primark, King of Prussia Sears store leased out to clothing retailer Primark, East Towne Mall Kmart (51 jobs lost), Frackville Kmart in the Skuylkill Mall (80 jobs lost), Mount Pocono Kmart (66 jobs lost), Fairless Hills Sears Hardware. Granite Run Mall shutdown, meaning the Sears and Sears Auto Center now apparently on a month to month (possibly day to day) lease are soon to follow. Brookhaven Kmart (89 jobs lost).

Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Kmart (206 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost), both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two), Mount Pleasant Kmart (43 jobs lost), Harbison Sears & Sears Auto Center in the Columbiana Centre mall (97 jobs lost), Aiken Sears & Sears Auto Center (at least 54 jobs lost), Inlet Square Mall Kmart (50 jobs lost), West Ashely Kmart (69 jobs lost), Myrtle Beach Kmart (59 jobs lost), Easley Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Dakota: Spearfish Kmart (51 jobs lost), Sturgis Kmart (57 jobs lost).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart, Franklin Cool Springs Galleria Sears (92 jobs lost), Memphis Hickory Ridge mall Sears (job loss data not revealed), 48 years old Nashville Kmart on Nolensville Pike to close by January 2014 (57 jobs lost), Franklin Kmart (33 jobs lost), Dickson Kmart (65 jobs lost), talks in progress to end lease for Bellevue (Nashville) Center Mall Sears, Nashville Bellevue Center Sears & Auto Center (at least 44 jobs lost).

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors, Dallas Sears home appliance parts distribution center (77 jobs lost), Simon Property Group owned McAllen Sears store & Auto Center (so far no word on how many jobs will be lost), recently revealed Palestine Sears Hometown (franchise owner quit to work as assistant manager at a local Dollar General).  Wichita Falls Sears (56 jobs lost right before Xmas).

Utah: Murray Sears (for some reason Mormon controlled news media in Utah never reported the closure, but they reported that the building was demolished), Orem Kmart (no details reported), Woods Cross Kmart (54 jobs lost), Provo Kmart demolished in anticipation of yet another AtHome furniture store.

Vermont: Rutland Sears store & Auto Center (65 jobs lost),  South Burlington Kmart (66 jobs lost).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost), Stafford Sears Hometown, Newport News-Denbigh Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Wise Kmart (58 jobs lost), Harrisonburg Kmart (79 jobs lost), Winchester Kmart (91 jobs lost), Dale City Kmart (69 jobs lost), Chesapeake Sears and Auto Center (82 jobs lost), Front Royal Kmart (88 jobs lost), Pembroke Mall Sears renting out part of their store to DSW & Nordstrom Rack, Sears Holdings say they’re still looking for a “third tenant” for their occupied space. The current nearby Sears Auto Center will be rented out to REI. Colonial Heights Kmart (113 jobs lost), Virginia Beach Hilltop Square Shopping Center Kmart (82 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost), Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost), Oak Harbor Kmart (68 jobs lost), Sodo Sears and Sears Auto Center (79 jobs lost), Everett Kmart (65 jobs lost), Marysville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost), Morgantown Kmart (100 jobs lost), Bluefield Sears store & Auto Center (64 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost), Brookfield Kmart (56 jobs lost), Racine’s Regency Mall Sears (52 jobs lost), Fort Atkinson Kmart (51 jobs lost), Greenfield Kmart (107 jobs lost), Portage Kmart (78 jobs lost) and Hales Corner (129 jobs lost), Chippewa Falls Kmart (79 jobs lost), Menomonie Kmart (at least 50 jobs lost), Ashwaubenon Kmart recently revealed now owned by Green Bay Packers, will be torn down (80 jobs lost), Shawano Kmart (55 jobs lost), Fond du Lac Sears (42 jobs lost), Glendale Sears store & Auto Center (86 jobs lost), Janesville Kmart (70 jobs lost), Glendale Sears Rebuild center (67 jobs lost), Sheboygan Sears & Auto Center (at least 31 jobs lost), Eau Claire Kmart (93 jobs lost), Plymouth Kmart (59 jobs lost before Xmas), Sheboygan Sears Rebuild Center (30 jobs lost), Wauwatosa Kmart (103 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center (see update above, GGP closing store)

Business/Economics, Idaho

More ‘Green’ companies bite the eco-dust! More taxpayer rip-off artists! No more free money for Too Big to Jail banks? : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 28 – 30 November 2015

California:  After only 17 months in office The Golden State’s Gas Supervisor for the Conservation Department Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources resigned after being accused of using state resources to find out if gov’na Jerry Brown’s ranch had any sizable oil deposits!  In Bakersfield, oil field company Brinderson announced they will eliminate 329 jobs between now and February 2016!

Connecticut: In Branford, after 43 years Mario-Joseph’s Men’s Clothing Store shutting down in December, the owners are retiring.

Delaware: Wilmington based chemical company Chemours continues eliminating jobs, this time 4-hundred people globally, blaming continued sales declines.

Idaho:  Administrators in Burley warn that the J.R. “Jack” Simplot Airport could shutdown in 2016, if it doesn’t get more help from impoverished federal and state taxpayers.   The Federal Aviation Administration says the small and deteriorating airport will be shutdown due to its short runways.  The only way to save it is to move it to a new location, but so far every possible location has brought up new legal issues.  In Boise, desperate gov’na Butch Otter met with administrators of the Central Asian country of Azerbaijan.  No details were publicised about what was discussed.  For proof the state government has failed with its SNAP (food stamps) allocations, fuel station Stinker Stores donated $20-thousand USD to the Idaho FoodBank, along with $50-thousand from customers of Stinker Stores.   The League of Women Voters of Idaho is demanding a reduction in state sales tax.  They’ve launched a ballot initiative to drop it by 1%, from 6% to 5%.  Gee, when I first moved to Idaho in the late 1990s it was 5%.  I remember when the state ‘elected’ lawmakers told us the increase to 6% was “temporary”, then suddenly it became permanent.  In Idaho Falls, the Guns and Gear store reports increased training of individuals for the state concealed carry license: “The concealed-carry class is getting busier and busier. I’ve been doing three a month here at the store. I usually run anywhere from 12 to 15 students. In the last two weeks we’ve filled all the courses.”-Pete Italiano

Illinois:  Yet again farm equipment maker Deere & Company (John Deere) eliminating hundreds of jobs.  An additional 220 people will be let go from the Deere factory in Moline, starting in February 2016!  Administrators continue to blame crashing sales to farmers.

Louisiana: Flint Energy Services eliminating 55 jobs in Haynesville.   What recovery from Hurricane Katrina? In New Orleans, Jacobs Technology/NASA eliminating 195 jobs at its Michoud Assembly Facility!

Maryland: In Hagerstown, after more than 80 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Superior Ice Cream and Snack Bar shutting down after Xmas.  The current owner blames financial reasons.  After 61 years Bel Air Bakery shutting down in December saying they need “more time to care for ourselves”. 

Massachusetts: Baystate Health eliminating as many as 40 jobs and consolidating inpatient care, blaming ObamaCare.

Minnesota: In Baxter, after 36 years the Bonanza Steakhouse (I worked at one in Abilene, Texas, back in the 1980s before they switched to all-u-can eat buffet, and the management were idiots! they begged me not to quit because they knew the majority of their employees were lazy asses!) shutting down right before Xmas, 35 jobs lost.  

Mississippi: Merit Health Natchez laid off 13 people.

Montana: The Whitehall gold mine suddenly laid off 135 employees!   The mine is owned by British empire Canada based Barrick Gold Corporation, which blamed crashing gold prices.

New Jersey:  Saint Mary’s General hospital laid off an undisclosed number of employees, blaming ObamaCare (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) on greatly reducing overnight customers.

New York:  In Lake Grove, Service America Corporation issued a shutdown WARN affecting their Centerplate-John Harvard’s Brew House restaurant ops, at least 56 people unemployed by February 2016.  Yet another law firm goes down, in NYC Jaffe & Asher issued a layoff WARN saying at least 75 people will become unemployed by February 2016.  Too Big to Jail Morgan Stanley will eliminate 25% of its bond and currency trading jobs!   Despite getting a four years local taxpayer funding deal to prevent layoffs it’s been revealed that government contractor Advanced Energy Systems, in Medford, actually eliminated at least 15 jobs in 2014.

Oregon: Yet another alternative energy company fails, Klamath Basin Geopower now chapter 7 bankrupt busted.  Local news reports say company administrators are ignoring their phone calls.

Pennsylvania: After 11 years the Flashpoint Theatre Company shutting down in 2016, due to crashing sales.

Texas:  Bowie Memorial Hospital has ceased to exist after cash strapped taxpayers voted down a funding initiative.  138 hospital employees and another 336 ‘outside’ jobs lost!     In the Houston area, Sulzer Pumps shutting down its Brookshire plant and moving to Oregon, 115 jobs lost!   Switzerland owned oil service company Noble Corporation eliminating up to 130 jobs due to lack of oil rig contracts!

Washington: Without warning recycler JACO Environmental laid off 154 people at two locations!  A WARN was given to the state the day after the layoffs began.  According to American Metal Market, JACO is now defunct.  A news report out of Rhode Island confirms JACO suddenly ended its recycling ops, and says people who were expecting $50 recycling checks in the mail for their old refrigerators will get diddly squat instead!  JACO has operations around the U.S. so I expect their shutdown to be nation wide.

Washington DC: The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is threatening the halt the merger between Office Depot and Mitt Romney created Staples.  The FTC wants “concessions” to prove the merged companies will not create a monopoly.  Rest assured this will not delay the ongoing store shutdowns.  The Federal Reserve (government created ‘jewish’ run central bank) ended its free money ‘lending’ program for Too Big to Jail banks!

26-27 November 2015: “I feel sick.”

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.”

Business/Economics

U.S. Food Crisis, November 2015: “I sit at night and I worry that…this time somebody got shot…”

Incomplete list of announced United States food supply shutdowns for the month of November, 2015: Many food suppliers/distributors are consolidating operations and killing jobs due to the collapsing grocery store and restaurant industries, as well as rising costs of food production, spread of disease and extreme weather.

British empire Canada based Tim Hortons shutting down dozens of restaurants in Maine and New York.  News reports out of Maine said employees were shocked as two restaurants have already shutdown, without warning before the official announcement was made.

I have noticed a growing number of mainstream news articles praising corporations for “spreading the wealth” by donating food to the underemployed.  You need to really pay attention to those articles because it’s not actually the ‘corporations’ that are doing the donating!  Most of those food donations are being done by the EMPLOYEES of the corporations, or even by the general public when an employee of a specific corporation goes out asking for donations.  Stop praising the elites who’ve caused our economic downfall!

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports record high prices for turkeys, blaming the bird flu outbreak.  However, you consumers should be aware that almost all the turkeys packaged for this year’s Thanksgiving season were done so by March of this year, before the bird flu outbreak.  In other words there is no shortage of packaged turkeys to justify jacking up the prices.  The bird flu decimated millions of turkeys scheduled for packaging for the 2016 Thanksgiving season.

Recent studies prove that decades of federal government dietary advice pushing for high carb diets is making people fatter and fatter. One study showed that ‘Mericans are even fatter now that when the government started pushing those eating rules.  Another study, used by the Wall Street Journal to blast ‘The Food Police’ in the White House, concluded that it is precisely the high carb guidelines that are making people fat.  An article by Foreign Policy pointed out that Austrians eat more than ‘Mericans yet are nowhere near as fat.

A USA Today report found that most restaurant managers believe it is against the law to donate uneaten food.  Wrong!  In 1996 the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act made it legal to do so.  I’ve worked for the restaurant industry many times in-between ‘real jobs’ and my experience is that it’s not really a legality issue but an evil attitude by corporate administrators.  And it applies to other areas of the retail sector.  That corporate attitude is that if you giveaway unwanted stuff then eventually your main customers will just wait around ’till you’re ready to throw the stuff out, instead of paying for it.  While working at the Pine Ridge Mall I often saw clothing/shoe retailers and book retailers throwing away perfectly good products.  They even went to great lengths to destroy those products before inserting into the massive trash compactors.  When we mall rat employees asked why, every store manager gave us the same answer; it was corporate policy.  The manager of the now defunct American Eagle even went as far to admit that the company got a tax write off whether they donated it or threw it away, and since the corporate execs were opposed to donations for fear it would actually reduce sales, it went into the trash!  (This was how I knew decades ago that our economy was heading down the shit-hole.  Every month I’d observe retail operations throwing away tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, every month! LITERALLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH, PER RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT,  EVERY MONTH!)

Alabama: Cool Beans Cafe + Bistro shutdown, the owners are moving ‘north’.

Arizona:  In Phoenix, Paz Cantina being shutdown by property developers who want to build an apartment complex.

California:  Because of covert austerity measures by state governments, non-profit food banks are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of people losing SNAP (food stamps), but now a University of San Diego Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research study blames the growing lines of hungry people on those stretched thin food banks!  The study basically says non-profit food banks are not efficient! No shit sherlock! They are not making profits doing this and most of the food bank workers aren’t even paid, it’s 100% donations!  It just shows you how screwed up the U.S. has become.      An algae bloom has killed the Dungeness crabbing industry.  The algae makes the crabs poisonous to eat.  In West Hollywood, iconic Dominick’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas.  News reports said the elites of Hollywood entered through the back, anybody who came in through the front door was kicked out.  In Pleasanton, Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN, another 31 people being let go after Xmas.  West Sacramento based grocery store Raley’s announced it will shutdown its Sacramento and Stockton stores, 114 jobs lost by December!  In Los Angeles, Napa Valley Grill shutting down before Xmas, 86 jobs lost, the operator claims it’s temporary.  Florida based General Mills Restaurants suddenly shutdown their San Diego Yard House restaurant, 110 people jobless!  In Costa Mesa, after publicly blaming the greedy landlord Scott’s Restaurant finally issued a shutdown WARN saying 106 people will become unemployed by the beginning of January 2016! In Studio City, Grill Concepts restaurant is shutting down by January 2016, 49 jobs lost, however the operators claim it will be temporary.  In Los Angeles, restaurant Greystone Manor issued a shutdown WARN saying 61 people will become unemployed by January 2016, however they claim it’s temporary.  In Carlsbad, after 27 years the Armenian Cafe shutdown by a property developer who wants to build a hotel. 

Colorado:  Broomfield based Noodles & Company shutting down 16 restaurants! The ‘fast-casual’ ramen eatery lost $9.8-million USD in its 3rd quarter of 2015.

Connecticut:   After 65 years Chick’s Drive Inn Seafood Restaurant shutting down as requested by the now deceased owner. 

Florida:     Planet Hollywood issued a shutdown WARN for its Disney Springs location, 468 people out-o-work by mid-January 2016!  However, the overrated restaurant company claims the layoffs are temporary as they plan to build an expensive new restaurant inline with the new Downtown Disney attraction ( I don’t think those 468 employees can wait that long).  West Palm Beach based ‘clean technology’ fertilizer maker BioNitrogen now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.  The company hasn’t even finished construction on its first clean fertilizer factory!  The company lost a $1.4-million lawsuit over unpaid debts.

Georgia: In Decatur, after 69 years Evans Fine Foods restaurant shutdown.  After 12 years a greedy landlord shutdown the Bhojanic restaurant: “Unfortunately, our lease at this location has come to an end and we could not come to terms on a lease extension.”-Bhojanic facebook post

Idaho:  Evil property renters are jacking up rents on farmers!  The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Survey says the cost to rent non-irrigated farmland in The Gem State has gone up to $158 USD per acre (0.4 hectare), a 5% increase from 2014 to 2015.   Irrigated farmland hit $208 per acre, an 8% increase!  However, it was revealed that rent for farmland with a pivot irrigation system and strong water rights access was going for as much as $350 per acre!  Here’s another whammy against farmers; the USDA said many of the current rental contracts were signed when commodity prices were high, this means farmers are actually paying rent so they can lose even more money for what they grow!  In Pocatello, the Idaho FoodBank enlisted the help of police to control traffic.  The number of hungry families in the area is so high this year that the Food Bank created its first ever drive-thru operations, which caused traffic problems.  Local TV station KPVI described “Hundreds of cars were wrapped around South First Street and East Halliday…”  Idaho FoodBank administrators said besides food they also gave out 1-thousand 5-hundred food vouchers in one day!   For more proof the state government has failed with its SNAP (food stamps) allocations, fuel station Stinker Stores donated $20-thousand USD to the Idaho FoodBank, along with $50-thousand from customers of Stinker Stores.   

Illinois:   Yet again farm equipment maker Deere & Company (John Deere) eliminating hundreds of jobs.  An additional 220 people will be let go from the Deere factory in Moline, starting in February 2016!  Administrators continue to blame crashing sales to farmers.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Chicago hospitality food packaging plant saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it. 480 jobs lost between now and October 2016!   In Highland Park, after 30 years Ravinia BBQ & Grill shutdown.  In Willowbrook, after 29 years Phillies Pizza shutdown.  In Winnetka, after 24 years O’Neil’s Restaurant shutting down by January 2016.  The owner is focusing on his other two restaurants because “We tried remodeling O’Neil’s and changing the menu but…it just ran out of gas.” 

Indiana: The Hoosier State has adopted Idaho’s policies regarding SNAP (food stamps) and unemployment assistance.  You can now lose your food assistance if you don’t meet requirements for unemployment assistance.   News reports say an estimated 18-thousand 3-hundred people will lose their SNAP! Non-profit food banks are now saying what Idaho food banks said years ago, they won’t be able to handle the massive increase in people coming to them for food help: “We’re seeing 1,200 households a month, and if it goes up 50 families a month, that’s still 50 more jars of peanut butter.”-Elizabeth Kestler, Love Chapel food bank

Iowa:  In Davenport, after 66 years Riefe’s Family Restaurant shutting down right before Xmas, 55 jobs lost.  After 50 years the last Family Foods grocery store shutting down.  Don Goetz, the co-owner of the Anamosa store, said “We hung on as long as we could, but we lost money for the last four or five years.”

Maryland: In Hagerstown, after more than 80 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) Superior Ice Cream and Snack Bar shutting down after Xmas.  The current owner blames financial reasons.  After 61 years Bel Air Bakery shutting down in December saying they need “more time to care for ourselves”.

Massachusetts: In Somerville, after seven years Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project shutdown, the owners saying only “it’s time to draw the curtains and head off to a new adventure.”

Michigan:  In Grand Rapids, a TGI Fridays restaurant was suddenly shutdown.  In Howell, The Candy Bar shutting down in February 2016.  The property owner refused to renew the lease, yet, local news reports say the property owner has no plans for the building.

Minnesota:  In Baxter, after 36 years the Bonanza Steakhouse (I worked at one in Abilene, Texas, back in the 1980s before they switched to all-u-can eat buffet, and the management were idiots! they begged me not to quit because they knew the majority of their employees were lazy asses!) shutting down right before Xmas, 35 jobs lost.   In Minneapolis, after 17 years Chiang Mai Thai restaurant shutting down right before Xmas.  The owners did not want to renew the lease.  In Saint Paul, the Glockenspiel restaurant shutdown: “At no surprise to us, we received a notice on 10.29.2015 from our Landlords the CSPS SOKOL MN that they will not renew our current lease that expires 12.31.2015. …Our last full day of business is today 11.22.2015.”

Nevada: In Fallon, after 26 years Country Health store shutdown.

New Jersey:  In Montvale, after 90 years the DePiero family says they were forced by skyrocketing operating costs to sell-off their farm to evil property developers.

New York:   In Maryknoll, Sodexo issued a shutdown WARN saying it lost the contract for the Dining Services at Catholic Foreign Mission ops, 38 people unemployed by January 2016.    In Glen Cove,  after 96 years (surviving the Great Depression and numerous recessions) restaurant Stango’s shutting down on New Year’s Eve.   In Brighton, Mario’s Italian Restaurant shutting down before Xmas, blaming ongoing property development by commercial property developers.  In Hamburg, Tina’s Italian Kitchen shutting down before Xmas.  In Saratoga Springs, after 41 years Lillian’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas, the property is up for sale.

North Carolina:  Piggly Wiggly shutting down their grocery store in Stantonsburg after Thanksgiving, blaming years of decreasing sales and increasing costs.  After 18 years Tír na nÓg pub shutdown.

North Dakota:  In Fargo, after 13 years Monte’s Downtown restaurant shutting down after Xmas, blaming competition.

Ohio: After 25 years the last Ponderosa Steak House in the Dayton area shutdown.  The Texas based company told local news that if they recover financially then maybe they’ll return.  One of three Servatii deli and bakeries being shutdown in December.  Unnamed employees said the lease was not renewed.

Pennsylvania:  Pittsburgh based Warren Buffett & 3G Capital owned Kraft Heinz shutting down 10 food factories in North America and killing off an additional 2-thousand 6-hundred jobs!     The 2-thousand 6-hundred jobs reported as being lost must be ‘low balled’ because news reports out of Wisconsin say the Kraft-Heinz factory shutdown there will kill 1-thousand  2-hundred jobs!   Sharon based NASCAR themed restaurant chain Quaker Steak & Lube bankrupt busted and being sold off at a loss for only $25-million USD. Court documents say the new owner will be TravelCenters of America.  After 29 years Distelfink Bakery shutdown without warning: “We were struggling, and thought we had come to an agreement with attorneys and with the landlord, to stay current … plus pay the back rent.  In the meantime, they went to court and got a judgment against us.”-Kate Berger, co-owner

After 37 years the owners of Mandy’s Place pizza joint blamed escalating crime for why they shutdown: “I sit at night and I worry that if that phone rings, this time somebody got shot…..Nobody held the meeting! They [mayor’s office] went on media and said they would and it never happened.”-Steve Negri, owner

Rhode Island: In Providence, after eight years Mediterreneo Restaurant shutdown, the corporate owners admitted they were made an offer for the property which they could not refuse.

Tennessee:  Maryville based Ruby Tuesday announced it is selling eight Lime Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants, and shutting down another eleven!  Administrators say the economy is forcing them to focus on their namesake brand.

Washington:    In Gig Harbor, Sariah Spices & Teas shutting down after Xmas.  The owner blames the A-hole city council which forced her to move her store’s signage, resulting in an immediate 10% reduction in business! She says she now doesn’t make enough money to justify renewing the lease.

Wisconsin:   In Fon Du Loc, after only nine months Three Guys and a Grill shutting down.  The owners said at first businesses was good then it suddenly stopped, no matter how many promotions they tried.  News reports say the location (a former church) has established a bad reputation due to a string of failed restaurant attempts.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Jefferson pepperoni and salami packaging plant, saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it.  At least 4-hundred jobs lost between now and October 2016!   In New Richmond, after five years Brady’s Brewhouse shutdown: “A business has to close when there is not as many sales as there are expenses. It is a bummer that we can’t keep going. We just didn’t have enough sales or customers to keep us open.”-Chris Polfus, owner

Local news reports say the Warren Buffett shutdown of the Kraft Heinz Oscar Mayer meat factory will kill 1-thousand 2-hundred jobs!  Doug Leikness, the president of the employees’ union, stated “We’re doing very well…..Didn`t see it coming. We`ve increased productivity in this plant. We`ve done it with less workers, and now we`re getting the carpet pulled from underneath us. We just feel a big sense of betrayal from this company.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

U.S. Food Crisis, October 2015: “Oh my Gaawwdd!” “…30% of operators are insolvent.” “…I have to destroy the most important thing in my life.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

“I feel sick.” Economy so bad people stealing sperm! Buy Idaho is Big Fail! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 26 – 27 November 2015

I have noticed a growing number of mainstream news articles praising corporations for “spreading the wealth” by donating food to the underemployed.  You need to really pay attention to those articles because it’s not actually the ‘corporations’ that are doing the donating!  Most of those food donations are being done by the EMPLOYEES of the corporations, or even by the general public when an employee of a specific corporation goes out asking for donations.  Stop praising the elites who’ve caused our economic downfall!

California:  In Carlsbad, after 27 years the Armenian Cafe shutdown by a property developer who wants to build a hotel.  More proof the internet is also getting hit hard by the bad economy; San Francisco based music streamer Rdio issued a shutdown WARN, 123 people out of a job right after Xmas!  In Bakersfield, Construction Specialty Service laying off 61 employees in January 2016, blaming the oil industry.  Grocery store operator Albertsons-Safeway laying off another seven people in Pleasanton by the end of January 2016.  Redwood City based Oracle Corporation announced it will eliminate 150 jobs in Germany as part of a plan to consolidate IT jobs to Romania! Since 2002, Oracle has eliminated about 1-thousand 3-hundred jobs in North America and Europe!

Georgia: The Bank of Georgia failed and was seized by the FDIC.  Assets turned over to Fidelity Bank.

Idaho: State government created (by current gov’na Butch Otter) non-profit Buy Idaho revealed to be Big Fail after 29 years!  Back in October they held their 29th statewide trade show in Boise, but just recently released the attendance data; a whopping 20 Idaho businesses showed up with just over 170 people in attendance (wu-who!!!).    Hey why don’t you Buy Me a Job, gov’na of Idaho, then maybe I could afford to spend 100-bucks on your ‘Idaho businesses’! 

 School District 151 is now suddenly short $15-million USD after convincing taxpayers to issue new bonds!  District administrators blame an architect from the School District 25 area for grossly under-budgeting new construction projects!  That architect admitted as much adding that “I feel sick.”  

This’ll make you sick, in the Twin Falls area a ranch hand was arrested for stealing elk sperm!  He was paid $3-thousand USD by a competing elk ranch to steal the sperm!  A sure sign the economy in Idaho is in desperate straights.

 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics claims The Gem State’s new jobs grew by 3.8% from October 2014 to October 2015, but, as I pointed out in a previous posting the American Staffing Association says the majority of Idaho’s new jobs are part time and temporary only.

Indiana: In Terre Haute, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ John Paul II Catholic High School.  The school was opened in 2000 and cannot generate enough cash to continue operating.  (so money is the true god?)

Iowa: In Norwalk, after 28 years grocery store Scott’s Food shutting down in January 2016, the owner blames competition.

Minnesota: Red Wing Pottery shutting down the day before Xmas.  The current owners bought the store in 2013 and say the local community has hit them with hostility and violence ever since, the store has been vandalized several times.

Missouri: In Florissant, after 30 years Bridal Connections shutdown, the owner sounded schizophrenic: “Just listen to your inner voices. That’s my best piece of advice.”-Nancy Wisneski

Ohio: Yet another jewelry store going down.  In Springfield, Ridgewood Jewelers shutting down right before Xmas.  The owner said it’ll be the first time in years that he’ll have Xmas day off.

Tennessee: Community Health Alliance being forced by state ObamaCare administrators to stop issuing health insurance, 148 jobs lost this month!  ProNova Solutions eliminating 2-hundred jobs at their new Blout County facility!   They blame construction delays caused by government permits.  Rocore shutting down their Forks of the River Industrial Park ops after Xmas, at least 50 jobs lost.  Also in December,  The Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud shutting down, 115 jobs lost! 

Vermont: Waterbury based coffee roaster Keurig Green Mountain lived up to its forecasting and saw a 14% drop in sales.  They’re preparing to conduct more layoffs despite already eliminating 2-hundred jobs! 

Washington:  Hometown National Bank failed and was seized by the FDIC.  Assets turned over to Twin City Bank.

24-25 November 2015: “Essentially, we’re kicking ourselves out.”

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.”

Business/Economics

“Essentially, we’re kicking ourselves out.” Chevron abandons Gulf of Mexico! Orbitz is no more! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 24 – 25 November 2015

Arkansas: Noranda laying off 38 people at its Newport aluminum factory in December.

Arizona: Non-profit Meritus Health Partners being shutdown by ObamaCare by the end of December, 59-thousand people will lose their promised healthcare insurance as a result! 

California:  Video game maker Red5 laid off an undisclosed number of employees.  San Ramon based oil giant Chevron announced more job cutting, this time with their Gulf of Mexico ops, 350 jobs gone in 2016!  On top of that, Chevron says it will completely exit the Gulf of Mexico in 2017.  In Ontario, Exel issued a shutdown WARN, 92 jobs lost in January 2016.  Macy’s is shutting down their Century City store, 117 jobs lost in January 2016!  In Oakland, AT&T eliminating 92 jobs in January 2016.  What housing market recovery? In San Bernardino, Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo issued a shutdown WARN for its home mortgage office, 122 jobs lost in January 2016!  In Fremont, Wisconsin based electronics maker Plexus issued a shutdown WARN, 204 jobs lost by September 2016!  What construction industry recovery? In City of Industry, Kim Lighting issued a shutdown WARN, 160 jobs lost in January 2016!

Connecticut: After 16 years Bethel Cycle shutting down blaming competition.

Florida: Shopping network QVC issued a shutdown WARN for their Port Saint Lucie Call Center, 640 jobs gone by April 2016!

Georgia: In Decatur, after 12 years a greedy landlord shutdown the Bhojanic restaurant: “Unfortunately, our lease at this location has come to an end and we could not come to terms on a lease extension.”-Bhojanic facebook post

Failed State Illinois:  Expedia eliminating 326 Orbitz jobs in Chicago in the beginning of 2016!  It’s because Expedia now owns Orbitz.

Massachusetts: In Somerville, after seven years Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project shutdown, the owners saying only “it’s time to draw the curtains and head off to a new adventure.” 

Failed State New York: The taxpayers are being raped for an undisclosed amount of money to bribe Alcoa from shutting down their Massena aluminum factory!  The exalted gov’na Cuomo made Alcoa a three year deal, using your money!  In NYC, nightclub Pacha shutting down in January 2016. In Buffalo, after 30 years antique store Horsefeathers Hollywood Hanks shutting down when the inventory is gone.

Ohio:  Mercy Health warned it will eliminate 24 jobs, blaming ObamaCare (Affordable Care Act) for “changing” healthcare.  One of three Servatii deli and bakeries being shutdown in December.  Unnamed employees said the lease was not renewed.  In Warren, after 61 years Gene’s Jewelers shutting down after Xmas, blaming years of slow sales.

Texas: In Austin, I Luv Video shutting down their store near the University of Texas: “Essentially, we’re kicking ourselves out. It’s not really viable for us to have a store there anymore. It doesn’t generate the flow it used to.”-Conrad Bejarano

Vermont: After 13 years cookware retailer Williams-Sonoma in Burlington Town Center mall shutting down in January 2016.  The owner blames two years of slow sales.  Also in Burlington, after 32 years Myers New & Used Furniture shutting down in December: “We’re not able to make any money any more…and you can’t keep spending more than you make.”-Todd Myers, owner

21-23 November 2015: Idaho FoodBank creates drive-thru to handle increased demand!

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.”

Business/Economics, Idaho

Idaho FoodBank creates drive-thru to handle increased demand! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 21 – 23 November 2015

The American Farm Bureau Federation reports record high prices for turkeys, blaming the bird flu outbreak.  However, you consumers should be aware that almost all the turkeys packaged for this year’s Thanksgiving season were done so by March of this year, before the bird flu outbreak.  In other words there is no shortage of packaged turkeys to justify jacking up the prices.  The bird flu decimated millions of turkeys that were scheduled for packaging for the 2016 Thanksgiving season.

More proof ObamaCare is a scam:  

Arizona: In Phoenix, bookcase, entertainment center and furniture maker Forest Designs now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

California:  What automotive industry recovery?  Korea based Hyundai Capital America issued layoff WARNs for 41 people, taking place in January 2016.  What real estate market recovery?  Texas based real estate management company SWAY Management issued a layoff WARN, 102 people in Oakland jobless by mid January 2016!   In the City of Commerce, AT&T eliminating 99 jobs by January 2016.   Mountain View based Complete Genomics issued several WARNs saying 181 people will become jobless by the end of January 2016!

Florida: In Miami, two Systemax companies, TigerDirect and Syx killing hundreds of jobs!   Direct marketing retailer TigerDirect eliminating 76 jobs by mid January 2016.   SYX Services and SYX Distribution issued WARNs saying 165 jobs lost by mid January 2016!

Idaho:  The bad economy is rearing its ugly head in the form of a 28% increase in property crimes in the city of Idaho Falls.  That’s based on a new report published by the city using 2014 data.  Property crimes include theft, burglaries and larcenies.  In Pocatello, the Idaho FoodBank enlisted the help of police to control traffic.  The number of hungry families in the area is so high this year that the Food Bank created its first ever drive-thru operations, which caused traffic problems.  Local TV station KPVI described “Hundreds of cars were wrapped around South First Street and East Halliday…”  Idaho FoodBank administrators said besides food they also gave out 1-thousand 5-hundred food vouchers in one day!                According to the American Staffing Association the majority of new employment in The Gem State are temporary part time jobs.

Failed State Illinois: In Alton, after 30 years Bluff City Tackle shutting down by the end of Spring 2016: “In 2009 we had the best year the shop’s ever had, and 2010 was the worst year ever.”-Mark McMurray, owner

Failed State Michigan: In Grand Rapids, after 60 years Reed Drug Store shutdown, after selling-out to Walgreens.

Minnesota: In Saint Paul, the Glockenspiel restaurant shutdown: “At no surprise to us, we received a notice on 10.29.2015 from our Landlords the CSPS SOKOL MN that they will not renew our current lease that expires 12.31.2015. …Our last full day of business is today 11.22.2015.”

Nebraska: After eliminating 35 jobs at the beginning of the month, IAC Acoustics eliminated another 76 jobs from their Lincoln ops.  It must be noted that their Lincoln factory was opened only one year ago!

Failed State New York: Too Big to Jail American Express issued a shutdown WARN for its Enterprise Growth Business Unit, at least 45 jobs lost by May 2016.  PCX Aerostructures issued a shutdown WARN for its Farmingdale ops, because they’re joining the mass exodus from The Empire State and are moving jobs to Connecticut and Texas.  California based wearable electronics maker Jawbone shutdown their NYC marketing office, no word on how many jobs lost there.  In Saratoga Springs, after 41 years Lillian’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas, the property is up for sale.

Ohio: In Piketon, Centrus Energy WARNed of at least 85 job losses after Xmas.

Oklahoma: Texas based oil field company Halliburton eliminated more jobs from its Duncan branch ops, this time 1-hundred people let go!

Pennsylvania:  In Pottsville, after 65 years God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ Good-Will Christian Bookstore after Xmas.  The owner said he tried to sell the store but nobody wanted to buy it.

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 38 years non-profit Kilian Community College announced they’re shutting down in May 2016. Administrators blame a rapidly changing higher education environment.

Tennessee: Is ObamaCare medical device tax forcing proton therapy medical device maker ProNova to eliminate 25 jobs?  Company administrators blamed delays in construction of their new factory building for the layoffs.

19-20 November 2015:“…it’s an uphill battle…our days..are coming to an end.” 

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.”

Business/Economics

8-million jobs lost by 2030, just in Japan! Even with 2% economic growth?

24 November 2015, 18:12 UTC-07 Tango 01 (04 Azar 1394/12 Safar 1437/14 Ding-Hai 10th month 4713)

The Ministry of Labor issued a warning to the neo-imperialist leaders of Japan; if you can’t fix the economy then prep for at least eight million permanent job losses over the next 15 years!

The study looked at jobs in eight prefectures and concluded that even with an expected increase in healthcare and social work employment the economy is so bad that the net result will be eight million job losses by 2030.

On top of that, even if the Japanese economy manages to miraculously grow at an annual rate of 2% (2% is actually stagnation, as I’ve pointed out many times in previous posts), and the government subsidizes the employment of old people and women, then the net result is still 1.82-million job losses!

The biggest job cuts will be in the retail sector followed by manufacturing.

Business/Economics

VW accused of tax evasion!

24 November 2015 (07:19 UTC-07 Tango 01)/03 Azar 1394/11 Safar 1437/13 Ding-Hai 10th month 4713

German tax administrators are accusing Volkswagen of tax evasion in connection to their emissions rigging scandal.

That scandal has now spread to gas powered vehicles in Europe.

The tax evasion accusations focus on five top level VW employees and tax breaks for producing vehicles which meet Germany’s low emission standards.

False Flag: VW intentionally sacrifices Diesel…Blame Rockefeller!

Business/Economics

“…it’s an uphill battle…our days..are coming to an end.” Looky-loos kill mom-n-pop furniture shops! : U.S. Job Losses & Closings 19 – 20 November 2015

Arizona: In Phoenix, a whistleblower told ABC15 that taxsucker Honeywell is eliminating at least 1-thousand jobs, right after forced unpaid holiday furloughs!  The whistleblower said employees close to retirement will also be laid off, as well as pay cuts for those who will still be employed.  One reason for the secret layoffs is Honeywell is planning to move call center operations to Mexico.

California: In San Francisco, wearable electronics maker Jawbone laid off 60 employees “As part of our strategy to create a more ….successful company…”.  In West Hollywood, iconic Dominick’s restaurant shutting down after Xmas.  News reports said the elites of Hollywood entered through the back, anybody who came in through the front door was kicked out.

Connecticut: Japan based Canon Solutions America announced it is shutting down its Trumbull office, by the end of February 2016.

Failed State Illinois: In Obama’s homie town three charter schools being shutdown; Lighthouse Academy, Amandla High school and Betty Shabazz-Barbara A. Sizemore Academy.  Apparently they’ve failed to meet performance standards.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Chicago hospitality food packaging plant saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it. 480 jobs lost between now and October 2016!

Iowa: In West Des Moines, Kingdom Kids Academy shutdown. News reports say administrators refuse to say why, but employees say new management suddenly backed out and quit.  In Cresco, after 29 years Spectrum Thrift Store shutting down by Thanksgiving.  The temporary management said it was due to a “financial business decision”.

Kentucky:  Blackhawk Mining revealed it laid off 2-hundred people, blaming the crashing coal industry!  After investing $2.8-million USD back in 2010, heavy vehicle maker Caterpillar say sales are so bad they’re shutting down their Danville factory and consolidating ops back to Illinois, at least 75 jobs lost by the end of 2016.

Maryland: What housing industry recovery?  Clark Turner Homes now chapter 7 bankrupt busted.  News reports say the property developer hasn’t paid its debts for several months.   Company administrators blame the Too Big to Jail banking industry which cut-off their debt financing.

Failed State Massachusetts: Sears Holdings announced they will shutdown the Braintree Kmart on Grossman Drive.  Also, the Braintree South Shore Plaza Sears store is renting out an entire floor to Ireland based Primark.   Even with the lease to Primark there is still 4-thousand square feet of vacant space in the Sears store.  In Worcester, after 35 years iconic Classic Toy Shop shutting down when the inventory is gone.  The owner, Betsy Madson, said “I am the engine, and after 35 years, I am 65 years old and ready for quiet mornings…..This is supposed to be a happy thing. I am retiring.”   The sad thing is she tried to sell the business but there were no interested buyers.

Failed State Michigan: In Allegan, Ireland based drugs maker Perrigo laying off 1-hundred U.S. employees as part of their global elimination of 8-hundred jobs!   In Grand Rapids, a TGI Fridays restaurant was suddenly shutdown.

New Hampshire: After 23 years furniture store Blanchet Canadian Rocker shutting down in January 2016.  The pissed-off owner blames looky-loos who turnaround and buy on the internet: “When five people take pictures and one mommy comes back to buy it, you know they are finding it online.”-Charlie Wienberg, current owner

Failed State New Jersey: In West Orange, Barnabas Health issued a WARN saying 7-hundred health industry workers will become unemployed right after Xmas!   In Wayne, Haier America Trading issued a WARN saying 137 people will become jobless right after Xmas!  In Piscataway, IDT Corporation issued a WARN saying 84 employees rendered unemployed in January 2016.

Failed State New York: In North Dunkirk, NRG Energy issued a shutdown WARN for their power plant, at least 64 people will lose their jobs between February and September 2016.   In Maryknoll, Sodexo issued a shutdown WARN saying it lost the contract for the Dining Services at Catholic Foreign Mission ops, 38 people unemployed by January 2016.  NYC based Condé Nast ending publication of 33 years old Details magazine, jobs will be lost.

Oklahoma: Tulsa based BizJet International eliminating 150 Sale & Support jobs, 60% of its workforce!  Administrators blame it on crashing sales to the elitist VIP markets, mainly in China and Russia as those countries have been signing new contracts with Iranian companies.

Oregon:  Maker of metal parts for mining and construction equipment, Esco Corporation, shutting down its main Portland operation, 247 jobs gone by the end of 2016!  CEO Cal Collins said “It’s a reflection of the markets that we’re in and the weakness of where we’re at…”

Pennsylvania: In King of Prussia, Pointroll issued a WARN saying 93 people jobless in January 2016.  In Milton, ACF Industries issued a WARN saying 181 workers will be on the street in January 2016!  In Philadelphia, award winning Locust Moon comics shop shutting down by the end of 2015.  The owners said it’s the only way they could focus on publishing their own comics, and that doing retail business in “philly” sucks: “…it’s an uphill battle, trying to maintain an art-minded independent comic shop in west philly. we did the best we could….   …our days as comic shop proprietors are coming to an end.” 

Rhode Island:  Blue Cross Blue Shield announced it will eliminate 80 jobs over the next 18 months.  The health insurance company is joining the trend of contracting out its IT operations, ironically blaming ObamaCare (ironic because the health insurance industry created ObamaCare).

Vermont: Non-profit mental health service Health Care and Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont laid off 12 employees.  Administrators said even with those layoffs they’ll be lucky to “break even” in 2016.

Virginia: British empire based U.S. taxsucker BAE laid off 185 people in a first round of job cuts!  The second round of job cuts, 4-hundred +,  will take place in December!  British empire administrators blame it on reduced spending by the cash strapped U.S. Navy.

Washington: Aluminium giant Alcoa hitting two cities hard, 880 people losing their jobs in January 2016! Layoffs will affect the Alco ops in Malaga, and the Alcoa Intalco ops in Ferndale.  The official WARN claims the job losses are temporary.  If you been following the debacle in the aluminum industry you’ll know that what they mean by ‘temporary layoffs’ is ‘as soon as aluminum prices go back up’ they’ll hire more employees.  Alcoa stated a while ago that it was shutting down operations around the world in an effort to reduce supplies of aluminum, thus forcing prices back up.  In Gig Harbor, Sariah Spices & Teas shutting down after Xmas.  The owner blames the A-hole city council which forced her to move her store’s signage, resulting in an immediate 10% reduction in business! She says she now doesn’t make enough money to justify renewing the lease.

Wisconsin:  In Fon Du Loc, after only nine months Three Guys and a Grill shutting down.  The owners said at first businesses was good then it suddenly stopped, no matter how many promotions they tried.  News reports say the location (a former church) has established a bad reputation due to a string of failed restaurant attempts.  Food packager Tyson shutting down their Jefferson pepperoni and salami packaging plant, saying the plant is too old and sales too slow to justify spending the money to update it.  At least 4-hundred jobs lost between now and October 2016!

17-18 November 2015: “Why are you charging fees when they’re unconstitutional?” Postal shutdowns actually increase costs of operations! 

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.”