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Business/Economics

“…situation is pretty dire…numbers they gave Wall Street were inflated….management don’t want to say no to the big guys…” : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 19 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Netherlands based Royal Dutch Shell began eliminating hundreds of oil industry jobs in Louisiana and Texas, as part of their plan to eliminate 6-thousand 5-hundred jobs globally!

Alabama: Alabama Media Group announced it is eliminating jobs across the state.  The Video Warehouse announced it’s shutting down their 17 years old Ozark store.

California: The Orange County Sheriff laid off five staffers and now they’re suing.  Grocery store Raley’s announced it will eliminate 29 jobs from their West Sacramento HQ and their Natomas warehouse.  Company administrators are excited about killing off so many jobs because it makes them feel “…optimistic about the future and we continue to hire in areas to support future growth.”  Raley’s also revealed they’ve leased out their Winnemucca store to Idaho based Ridley’s Family Markets, affecting 50 Raley’s employees.  The Winnemucca store is the fourth Raley’s to shutdown this year.  Administrators of Los Angeles based clothing chain American Apparel admit it is on its death bed: “…decline in comparable sales…We believe that we may not have sufficient liquidity necessary to sustain operations for the next twelve months. These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt that we may be able to continue as a going concern.”

Colorado: More proof tech jobs are not recession resistant, Denver based video game maker IllFonic laid off six software developers.

Illinois: It’s been revealed that Eastern Illinois University eliminated 118 civil service jobs!  50 of those former employees were forced to quit or retire early.  In Chicago, God refuses to stop ‘his’ Catholic Church from using the excuse of lead contamination to suddenly shutdown the Saint Elizabeth School.  After six years restaurant Browntrout shutting down because sales suck: “We just can’t seem to hold it together….It’s drying up on us…It’s so erratic. What’s really stopping us now is we can’t make payroll…..I can’t keep a Band-Aid on it.”-Sean Sanders, owner

Indiana: In South Bend, New Jersey based Bed, Bath & Beyond shutting down their Erskine Village store in time for Thanksgiving.  Local news reports many businesses leaving the Erskine Village shopping center, and that the property owners missed their loan payments for February and March!

Michigan: ObamaCare forcing HealthPlus to shutdown their Saginaw and Troy offices, about 250 jobs lost!  HealthPlus abandoned the Medicaid and MIChild business.

New Jersey: In Paramus, Denmark based drugs maker Lundbeck Research issued a WARN saying 68 employees will become unemployed in October.  It’s part of their plan to eliminate thousands of jobs around the World (1-thousand jobs to be cut just from their Denmark HQ)!

New York: ObamaCare forcing addict rehab operation Phoenix House to issue a shutdown WARN for their NYC and South Kortright residential programs, at least 50 jobs lost in time for Thanksgiving. In Jamaica, God refuses to stop ‘his’  Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services from shutting down their Monica House homeless shelter in time for Thanksgiving, 26 jobs lost.  Administrators say it now costs too much to maintain the building.  More proof the internet is not recession resistant, NYC based HarperCollins shutting down their seven years old internet community for wanna-b writers, Authonomy, in September.

North Carolina: Divine Wine and Beer shutdown, the owner blames it on his wife who became the new pastor of the Church of Asheville.  Winston-Salem based Too Big to Jail BB&T shutting down 25 branch offices as part of its merger with Pennsylvania based National Penn Bancshares.

Ohio: The Quaker Square General Store and NewsStand Comics being forced to shutdown by the property owner, which is the  University of Akron.  New Albany based clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch is reportedly going to shutdown an additional 60 stores, on top of the 52 already shutdown.  In Springdale, Dillard’s announced they’re shutting down their clearance center at the Tri-County Mall.  It’s blamed on their new $350-million USD store at the Liberty Center Mall in Liberty Township.

Oregon: After more than 12 months the anti-GMO Moreland Farmers Pantry shutting down, according to local news reports it has something to do with the owner also being anti-homosexual marriage.

Pennsylvania: Jameson Hospital moving up their date to end childbirth services, no thanks to ObamaCare mergers.  Now, instead of the September shutdown the maternity ward will shutdown on 20 August! The earlier shutdown date seems to be blamed on a lack of medical staff.  God refuses to stop ‘his’ Catholic Church from shutting down the Saint Patrick Grade School. Local news reports say Catholic leaders tried to secretly stop parents from protesting. In West Point, union members revealed that their employer, drugs maker Merck, will eliminate “thousands” of jobs and then force those still employed to work 16 hours shifts!  An unnamed employee warned you should avoid medication made by Merck: “The situation is pretty dire. We’re making medicine, not coat hangers. The numbers they gave Wall Street were inflated and not realistic. Lower and middle management don’t want to say no to the big guys because they don’t want to lose their jobs.”

Tennessee: In Gallatin, Nationwide Studios (akaTeddy Bear Portraits) laying off 69 employees between now and the end of September, as a result of the shutdown of their portrait printing ops.

Texas: California based Demand Media shutting down their Austin office, 30 jobs lost.  At one point Demand Media employed at least 1-hundred Texans!

Utah: What housing market recovery?  Too Big to Jail financial/mortgage industry company MCS Valuations shutting down their Sandy office.  Basically they said that after a year of review it wasn’t worth it to them to keep their Utah ops going.

18 August 2015: Federal Reserve says college does not pay-off!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

Economic War on ‘Fat’ People! Federal Reserve says college does not pay-off! Zulily has been sold! : U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 18 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: News media in The Golden State are finally starting to question the unAmerican corporate America excuse that there aren’t enough qualified techies in the U.S. for offshoring such jobs to places like India.  This after massive layoffs announced over the past few months by California tech companies such as Qualcomm (who refuses to give exact layoff numbers).

Illinois: Deerfield based but Switzerland owned Walgreens Boots Alliance eliminating 370 jobs, 270 just within Illinois the other 1-hundred will take place across 20 U.S. states! It’s a direct result of the merger between Walgreens and Boots Alliance.  In Elizabeth, clothing store Something Special announced it will shutdown after Xmas.  What automotive industry recovery? Moline based farm vehicle maker Deere (formerly John Deere) shutdown their Tianjin, China, ops as a result of last week’s 21-thousand metric tons explosions that rocked the port city. It’s still not know what sparked the earthquake causing blasts.

Massachusetts: In Cambridge, after 35 years Berk’s Shoes shutdown, the general manager blamed the suck-ass economy and never ending local road construction: “…the climate in the country makes it really difficult for small business, local business, independent business to survive. It’s a sad day for us…”-Mickey Holland

Michigan: Grand Rapids Board of Education voted unanimously to layoff seven teachers. For every student the district loses it also loses $7,391 USD in funding.

Minnesota: Restaurant Zen Box shutdown their skyway location last week.  

Missouri: A new study by the Federal Reserve Bank‘s Saint Louis regional office has concluded that getting a college degree does not do anything to improve your financial position, at least not if you’re ‘black’ or ‘hispanic’!    

Montana: Stillwater Mining laid off 119 employees! Back in July they laid off 11, it’s blamed on crashing prices of platinum and palladium.

New Hampshire: Macy’s shutting down another store, this time in Bedford, just in time for Thanksgiving.  It’s part of the retailer’s plan to eliminate 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs by the end of the year!

New York: NYC based Harper’s Magazine revealed that college edumacation is a economic ripoff (How College Sold its Soul).

Ohio: God’s ‘christian’ president of Ashland University eliminated 23 faculty positions despite strong student enrollment numbers and a $3-million USD surplus at the end of the 2014 school year!  The Cleveland Clinic announced it is kicking McDonald’s out of its food court, as part its new War on Fat People.  To show you how a-feared people are of the Anti-Fast Food Police State a technician at the clinic was caught by news media eating a Mickey D’s meal and he wimp assedly confessed “Every now and again I stray just a little. I don’t eat too much of it. I just wanted it right now.”   I don’t like McDonald’s but you better not come here to Idaho and try and take away my Carl’s Junior!!!

Pennsylvania: In State College, gas station-convenience store Sheetz shutdown on East College Avenue. Administrators indicated that food and beverage sales were too low.  Finland based mining equipment company Metso announced that it will shutdown its York factory, 80 people will become jobless by March 2016. And as more proof that your average ‘Merican employee doesn’t pay attention to economic news, one Metso employee said “I feel like I was on a 10-foot ladder and got knocked down. It’s a shock.” 

Washington: More proof the internet is not recession proof; the 3-thousand employees of shopping network Zulily are demanding to know what’s going on as their boss announced the surprise sale of Seattle based Zulily to Pennsylvania based QVC.   The CEO of five years old Zulily bold faced lied and said “This acquisition is not about cost savings”, my decades of experience with unAmerican corporate America is that such sales or mergers are precisely about “cost savings” (job cuts), and that managers are not above bold face lying about job security to the faces of their employees!

17 August 2015:“everything is on the table”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“everything is on the table” “It takes a lot of money to pay the bills.”: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 17 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

“…Biopharmas are already in consolidation mode, and they will cut jobs and curtail operations more and more as they struggle to recoup the costs of associated with a wave of mergers and acquisitions.

Between January and July of this year, pharmaceutical employers announced the elimination of 6,334 jobs—up 1% from the same period in 2014….”–JobWatch: More Layoffs Loom as M&A Zooms

Alabama: US Steel announced it will shutdown their Fairfield blast furnace, 1-thousand 1-hundred jobs lost!  Administrators say the U.S. economy is so bad that “everything is on the table”!

Arkansas: In Redfield, Entergy Arkansas said it’s not worth it to upgrade their White Bluff coal fired power plant because it cannot afford to meet new EPA emission standards.  The upgrade is estimated to cost $1.1-billion USD, the shutdown will affect at least 110 employees!

California: Los Gatos based Netflix announced it will shutdown its last brick-n-mortar data center.  Netflix will now put customers’ data on the publicly accessed ‘cloud’.  As is typical with tech news, no mention of the location of the data center or how many humans (jobs) will be affected.  In La Quinta, psychedelic Rock ’N’ Roll MiniGolf shutting down by the end of the month, the owner said sales are not enough to pay the rent.

Florida: After 51 years the Paradise Palms Inn shutdown, and is being torn down.  News reports say a new hotel will take its place by 2017.

Illinois: After more than 20 years the Royal Appointments gift shop shutting down due to the property owner selling-off the building. Eastern Illinois University began eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs. It’s partly blamed on the Failed State ‘lawmakers’ who’ve failed to come up with a budget for the new fiscal year.   In Forest Park, after 12 years the Flavour (note incorrect British empire way of spelling Flavor) Cooking School shutting down by the end of the month.  The owner admits “…the business has been struggling for some time now.”

Maryland: What home construction industry recovery? After 27 years American Home Interiors shutdown: “Not very many new homes are being built and there’s more competition than there was in 1988 when Harry Hammond and I opened American Home Interiors.”-Harry Brown, owner

Minnesota: After more than 40 years the Golden Valley VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) shutdown.  The management admitted that due to crashing membership they sold-out to a property developer.

Mississippi: The Pisgah Headstart Center shutdown.  Parents are being told to send their kids to other Headstart education centers even though other Headstart ops are shutting down as well.  Many single parents relied on Headstart to watch their kids while they went to work, now they say they’ll have to quit their jobs because their jobs don’t pay them enough to afford child daycare.  In Jackson, a Piggly Wiggly grocery store on McDowell Road is shutting down.  Local news says it’s the second grocery store in the area to shutdown this year.

Missouri: It’s been discovered that Springfield based Bass Pro Shops actually eliminated 5-hundred jobs across the U.S., in July!  And if you remember my Job Loss report for 24 July, Bass Pro administrators told local news media it was less than 60!

Nebraska: In Hastings, after 31 years Moore Music shutting down by the end of the month.

Nevada: 86 years old casino Las Vegas Club was shutdown, the property was sold to a competitor.

North Carolina: After 25 years Tony’s Furniture Outlet now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and being liquidated.  A Piggly Wiggly grocery store in Wilson is shutting down, 30 jobs lost. Officially it’s blamed on low sales.

Ohio: After 98 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Tom’s Cigar Shop shutdown.  The owner blames increased competition and the city of Cincinnati for trying to force him to put a new $60-thousand USD roof on his shop: “It takes a lot of money to pay the bills.”-Joe Wright

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, after 20 years the Prairie Star Gallery shutdown.

Texas: In Austin, music venue Red 7 shutting down a month earlier than originally planned because the multiple owners “…unfortunately, none of them really get along…” 

14 – 16 August 2015: “You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed.” Mass grocery store shutdowns!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 14 – 16 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arizona: The Prescott Valley Events Center now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

California: Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown six San Diego County grocery stores!  Haggen will shutdown four stores in Orange County, local news reports say more shutdowns are in the works!  In Bakersfield, Haggen shutting down their Stockdale Highway store in time for Thanksgiving! Administrators implied that all the Albertsons-Safeway stores they took over are losing money! A Los Angeles Times report says Haggen incorrectly overpriced 1-thousand items and at the same time underpriced other items, resulting in loss of business and revenues.  San Jose based Extreme Networks laid of 20% of its employees, due to crashing revenues since 2013.

Florida: Motorola issued a WARN saying 198 people in Plantation will be laid off in time for Thanksgiving!   It’s been revealed that Broward Clerk of Courts laid off 17 people and forced another 14 to resign.  News reports say over the past two months 88 positions have been eliminated due to lack of taxpayer funding.  Alumni Research now bankrupt busted after the state Attorney General launched an investigation into the company.  Customers claim they have yet to get the products they’ve paid for.

Hawaii: Ohio based Macy’s shutting down their Windward Oahu store saying it was not worth renewing the lease.  70 jobs lost by the beginning of 2016.

Illinois: More proof the internet is not recession proof;  Chicago based Groupon announced that it will eliminate 20% of its restaurant software jobs.  It’s connected to the job cuts at New York based Ideel.  Groupon took over Ideel in 2014.  Lincoln-Way District 210 decided to shutdown their Lincoln Way Community High School North.  They say that even with the 5% property tax hike each year for the next two years they still won’t have enough money!

Iowa:  Chicken giant Tyson shutdown their Denison beef slaughter house, 4-hundred jobs lost! Administrators blame the drought in the western U.S. for causing a lack of cows for the food market.

Kentucky: Mitt Romney wunderkind Staples is shutting down their Owensboro store in September.

Maine: In Portland, after 28 years Videoport shutdown.  18-thousand videos being donated to the local library.

Minnesota: Blue Point Restaurant shutdown both their seafood joints, one in Wayzata and one in Bloomington.

Mississippi: In Tishomingo, the only Headstart education program shutting down apparently due to lack of funding (local news say Headstart administrators refuse to comment).  This pisses off many parents as they say “We worked hard to keep this place open. We volunteered hours and hours of our time, and our effort, and our money to keep this Headstart going!”-Santanna White

Nebraska: Omaha based Union Pacific railroad eliminated “hundreds” of managment jobs, blaming a 26% crash in coal shipments.

New Jersey: After allowing ‘his’ Saint Michael’s Medical Center to go chapter 11 bankrupt, God made it official and allowed administrators to issue a mass shutdown WARN, saying 1,445 people will become jobless by October!  The city of Trenton warned 64 firefighters of layoffs.

New Mexico: Freeport-McMoRan warns that it could conduct mass layoffs at their Tyrone and Chino mine operations.

New York: In North Tonawanda, after almost 20 years Hodepodge Gifts and Home Decor shutting down by the end of the month.

North Carolina: In Blowing Rock, Hatchet Jack’s Trading Post shutting down as soon as the inventory is sold: “I want to change up and do something different.”-Jack Hall

Ohio:  In Columbus, after 45 years Ron’s Furniture shutting down in October.   The new property owners are selling the building.  The furniture store owner says they’re not giving him enough time to get out: “Thirty days isn’t enough time to liquidate inventory, I can’t do that!”-Ron Weyer

Oklahoma: In Norman, after ten years Dreamer Concepts art gallery shutdown due to “Failure to secure sustainable financial support…”.  Oil industry company Samson Resources now chapter 11 bankrupt busted, claiming they can’t pay their debts.

Pennsylvania: The Nemacolin Post Office shutdown without warning, supposedly due to toxic black mold.  Residents must now drive 12 miles to the nearest post office.

Tennessee: In Memphis, corporate relocation company Cartus shutting down, 61 jobs lost in time for Xmas.

Washington: Restaurant Gastropod and brewery Epic Ales shutting down in September.  China (Taiwan) based tech company HTC laid off 47 people in Bellevue and Seattle, without warning.  It’s blamed on crashing international sales of ‘smart’ cell phones and tablets. Bellingham based Haggen Foods announced it will shutdown at least 27 grocery stores across the western U.S.  Analyst blame it on the sudden take over of 146 Albertsons-Safeway stores: “The requirements of the deal almost made it impossible for them to succeed. If you tell me that I’ve got to drive my car from Portland to Connecticut, but you’ve got to do it in four days, going no more than 50 miles per hour……You’re creating parameters under which I can’t possibly succeed………Haggen is lucky if they get out of this with the 18 stores they started with.”-Kevin Coupe

Wisconsin: Plastics company ACS Group laid off as many as 35 employees, no reason given.

13 August 2015:A “major economic engine” conducts mass layoffs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

A “major economic engine” conducts mass layoffs!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 13 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California:  Chevron laid off another 56 people in San Joaquin Valley, that’s on top of the 1-thousand 2-hundred people laid off since the end of 2014!

Connecticut: ObamaCare forced Colorado based AxisPoint Health to issue a WARN saying 45 people in Wallingford will become jobless in September.  College student loan provider Higher One laying off 29 people by March 2016.  Noank Community Market shutdown.

Florida: At the Tampa International Airport, food service company HMS Host Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for October, 796 jobs lost due to loss of contract!

Illinois: In Chicago, Motorola laid off 5-hundred people!  At one time Obama regime stooge Rahm Emanuel called Motorola Chicago’s “major economic engine”.

Iowa: In Windsor Heights, after 30 years Golf Headquarters announced they will shutdown, hoping to find a new location with better lease rates.   The Rookie baseball card shop, Maria Grocery and Gift, and Fitness Sports being kicked out by the end of September due to the building being demolished.

Maryland: After seven years Baltimore Sun Media Group gave up on its free newspaper –b-.

Massachusetts: In Pittsfield, Madeleine’s Patisserie & Cafe shutting down after less than two years. It’s blamed on the greedy landlord.

Michigan:  After 17 years the Village Pharmacy II in the Maple Village Shopping Center shutdown without warning.  The business was sold to Walgreens who bought it just to shut it down (they don’t like competition).  The coal fired electricity maker Eckert Power Plant shutting down in less than four years .

Montana: In Great Falls, grocery store Vans’ IGA shutting down by the end of September.  It’s blamed on the greedy property owner.

Nebraska: God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 47 years old Christ Child Society Center, blamed on The Rapture, I mean declining enrollment.

New York: Warren Buffett revealed that he will shutdown the Tarrytown Heinz food factory, 149 people to become jobless between now and Thanksgiving!  It’s a result of the merger with Kraft.

North Carolina: Warren Wilson College promoted two people and created three new jobs at the expense of laying off seven people.

Ohio:  Target shutting down their store on Soldano Boulevard in Columbus.  Local news reports say it’s the third “major retailer” to leave the area.

Oregon: Albertsons-Safeway announced the NE 181st Avenue Safeway grocery store in Portland will shutdown before the end of the month.  It’s blamed on the fact that 25% of the people who live in the area are paupers.  It was pointed out that the area has “…lost four grocery stores over the last 20 years. And the access to food is poor already and getting worse.”  But guess what?  It was revealed that Albertsons-Safeway will continue paying the rent on the property for the next five years: “…Safeway signed a five-year lease earlier this year with California-based developer Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation (ROIC)….they will continue to pay rent for the space rather than lease it to another grocer.”–The Skanner News 

Rhode Island: Providence based Too Big to Jail, and proven thief, Citizens Bank eliminating as many as 150 U.S. jobs in time for Xmas, by shipping those jobs off to India!

South Dakota: In Rapid City, after 31 years Shotgun Willies shutdown.  The owner blames the hypocritical religious prudes who rule Rapid City.

Texas: Houston based Hercules Offshore claiming chapter 11 bankruptcy to justify radical reorganization (job cuts).

Virginia:What automotive industry recovery?  Despite reporting increased revenues Roanoke based Advanced Auto Parts announced it will shutdown 50 stores across the U.S., as well as eliminate 1-hundred corporate level jobs!  In King George, 38 years old grocery store Dutch’s Mart shutting down in September, blaming lack of sales: “…it is what it is. We have a very loyal following, but you still need certain numbers.”-David Clare, owner

Washington: So much for legalized marijuana, the city of Tacoma announced they plan to shutdown 48 out of 60 marijuana shops.   

Wisconsin: It’s been revealed that Warren Buffett is shutting down the Kraft-Heinz owned Oscar Mayer meat plant in Madison, 165 factory worker jobs lost, another 147 corporate positions lost!

12 August 2015: Warren Buffett slaughters more Heinz jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“We…ran out of funds.” No more Sunny D? It ain’t ketchup! Warren Buffett slaughters more Heinz jobs!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 12 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Warren Buffett co-owned Kraft-Heinz announced it will eliminate another 2-thousand 5-hundred jobs in Canada and United States!   Apparently most of the new layoffs will affect corporate level employees in Illinois and Pennsylvania, and jobs considered redundant as a result of the merger between Kraft and Heinz.

More evidence the internet is not recession proof:  After raising $5.5-million USD, and in a span of 24 hours “the secret weapon of successful people” Zirtual shutdown and told 4-hundred employees they were not needed, then Startups.com announced “We’ve acquired Zirtual and we’re excited to bring it to new levels. With that being said, we’d like to invite you back.”   No word on what will happen to the Zirtual employees.  Some news reports said work for Zirtual suddenly slowed down with no explanation.

More evidence the internet is not recession proof:  Reports that the newly merged Razorfish-Rosetta has resulted in an undisclosed number of layoffs, at least 20 in New York City and Atlanta, Georgia.

Arkansas: After 27 years of yummy peaches Collins Round Mountain Orchard shutdown for good due to climate change: “Unfortunately, the weather has not been in favor of our crop……

….the fruit just will not produce this summer. With that being said, Collins Orchard is officially closed permanently.” 

California: God refuses to stop ‘his’ 82 years old Ventura based Gospel Light Publications from going chapter 11 bankrupt busted and being put up for sale. Administrators partly blamed God’s financially scandalous Family Christian retail chain (For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10).

Colorado: What housing market recovery?  Former contractor to Bank of America Home Loans, Urban Fulfillment Services, eliminating 265 jobs!

Florida: In Pensacola, after 30 years Chan’s Nightclub shutdown.  In Orlando, ObamaCare medical device tax forced Rotech Oxygen and Medical Equipment to issue a WARN saying 90 people will become unemployed in October.

Iowa: In Mason City, employees of Warren Buffett have gone to the local news media to report mass layoffs at the local Kraft plant.

Massachusetts: In Littleton, Sunny Delight Beverages shutting down their Harvard Road factory in December.  Sunny D has been laying off Littleton employees since 2014.  As with other corporations Sunny D is consolidating operations, and selling off their Littleton juice factory.  Vermont based Champlain Cable Corporation shutting down their Northampton factory by October.  Production being moved to Texas.

Michigan: The East China School District announced that Eddy Elementary school will shutdown for the 2016-17 school year.  Apparently the school needs to be refurbished but the district doesn’t have the money.  In Grand Rapids, after less than a year the Memphis Smokehouse restaurant shutdown, due to a death in the family.  God refuses to stop ‘his’ Battle Creek Evangelical Friends Church from shutting down their Little Friends Child Care Center.  However, it’s not due to a loss of members but an explosion of church members requiring the use of the space taken up by the child care center.  ObamaCare forcing non-profit Kandu to shutdown due to funding cuts for Ottawa County Community Mental Health: “It has become evident that current public policy and funding levels will not sustain our model now, nor in the foreseeable future:”-Tom Vreeman, ceo

Mississippi:  Isle of Capri Casinos shutting down its Natchez casino due to declining revenues.  The non-gambling assets are being sold-off for $11.5-million.

New Jersey:  ObamaCare forced three hospitals in Hudson County (Bayonne Medical Center, Christ Hospital and Hoboken University Medical Center) to layoff less than 80 employees.

New York:More evidence the internet is not recession proof; in NYC, internet shopping site Ideel issued a layoff WARN saying 39 people will be laid off in time for Xmas.

Ohio: The new owner of the Telling Mansion branch library shutting it down in September, the financially desperate county sold it off in 2013 claiming it had become a maintenance money pit.

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, Pro Image Sports shutdown their Promenade Mall store.

Pennsylvania: God refuses to stop ‘his’ British empire founded Salvation Army from restructuring their Ellwood City service center from paid employees to unpaid volunteers.  Universal Well Services issued a WARN saying they shutdown their Bradford ops, 85 jobs lost.

Washington: In Bellingham, the Firehouse Performing Arts Center close to shutting down, the owners had it up for sale since April 2014, but so far no interested buyers.  In Seattle, God refuses to stop the shutdown of ‘his’ 33 years old Zion Preparatory Academy. At one point the school had 6-hundred students, but because of the bad economy people can’t afford to pay for private school: “We just basically ran out of funds.”-Doug Wheeler, owner

Wisconsin: The Oilgear Company issued a shutdown WARN for its Milwaukee building, 70 jobs lost by October.

11 August 2015: “We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.” 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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 11 August 2015: Lampert spends $6-million while more stores close down!

Sears Holdings claims they are hiring 1-hundred people, but not for any Kmart or Sears retail stores.  It’s for a Sears call center in Alabama.  The expectation is that as Lampert shuts down more and more brick-n-mortar stores shoppers will be forced to buy their crap from Sears over the internet.

Sears Holdings revealed yet another Insider Buying junket by its own boss, Eddie Lampert.  According to the Form 4 Securities & Exchange Commission report, Lampert spent 6-million 346-thousand 298 U.S. Dollars and 28 Cents buying 277-thousand 252 shares of Sears Holdings’ stock.

After that, Sears Holdings announced the shutdown of three more stores; a Sears Hometown in North Carolina by the end of the month,  and two Kmarts (California and South Dakota) both closing down in time for Thanksgiving.

update 07 August 2015: Lampert isn’t spending a dime on improving stores! 

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart 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), recently revealed 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).

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).

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).

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed, Milford Kmart (80 jobs lost), Kingston Kmart (73 jobs lost).

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).

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.

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, recently revealed 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), recently revealed 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).

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).

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), Wincester 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

“We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.” Idaho republicans rip off taxpayers, again! “…it’s left us with basically nothing.” 28,500 jobs on the chopping block!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 11 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

More proof the internet is not recession proof: New York and California based StumbleUpon is out of money and laying off 70 of its 1-hundred employees!  The problem with major internet operations is that they are 100% debt financed, and rarely do they make enough money from actual sales to operate without debt financing.  StumbleUpon administrators admitted they were unable to raise enough money in their latest attempt at debt financing.

Arkansas: The largest Humane Society in the state, Sebastian County Humane Society, is warning that it will shutdown due to lack of funding: “We have been getting by every month really just with donations, and with donations being down, and none coming in, it`s left us with basically nothing.”-Tonya Rogers

California: Sears Holdings announced the 25 years old Los Banos Kmart will shutdown in November, 67 jobs lost.

Florida: ObamaCare forcing Corizon Health to layoff 64 people in Naples, by the end of September.

Georgia: In Atlanta, two music venues shutdown;  The Masquerade and Smith’s Olde Bar.  It’s blamed on greedy property developers.

Idaho: Once again the ‘conservative’ republican leaders of Idaho are screwing over the state taxpayers, to the tune of between $900-thousand to $1-million USD!  This time taxpayers will pay for failed lawsuits brought by republican state ‘lawmakers’ against the federal government.  The repeat offender, I mean 3rd term gov’na Butch Otter was at a loss to explain it, but also admitted the dumb state republican leaders get sued all the time, saying “You’re going to have to ask the lawyers why we’re losing……We get sued by so many people we can’t keep track.”

Illinois: After eliminating more than 1-thousand jobs, Obama regime stooge Rahm Emanuel wants to get rid of more than 450 Chicago public School jobs!  In Des Moines, after 48 years popular Mr. Filet Steakhouse shutting down by the end of the week because the city administrators have decided the building must be torn down in the name of progress. What housing market recovery?  Century Tile and Carpet shutting down their ten years old Joliet store, saying it wasn’t worth it to renew the lease.

Main: After 25 years the largest independent craft store, Craft Mania, is shutting down.  15 jobs lost: “Sales were down….the reality is that enough of my customers have gone elsewhere that it’s no longer viable for us to stay open.”– Lee Duguay, co-owner

Maryland: British empire United Kingdom owned Lorch Microwave eliminated 10% of its Salisbury employees due to crashing sales.

New Jersey: The bankrupt busted Montvale based A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company) grocery chain notifying (for legal reasons) all 28-thousand 5-hundred employees of possible layoffs!   ObamaCare forces God’s Saint Michael’s Medical Center into chapter 11 bankruptcy, threatening 1-thousand 4-hundred jobs!  It’s been up for sale but republican Chris Christie’s minions are interfering: “We’ve done everything the state has asked us to do. After two and a half years, it would appear we’re no further along than when we started.”-David Ricci, ceo

New York: After decades of trapping people into music-movies by mail subscriptions, iconic Columbia House now bankrupt busted and up for sale.

North Carolina: Hibernian Irish Pub & Restaurant shutting down their Cary location, they plan on renting the space out to another eatery.  The 18 years old franchised Sears Hometown store in Lexington shutting down by the end of the month. News reports said the franchise owner refused to explain why.  The Beaufort County Board of Education laid off 16 teacher assistants due to lack of local tax funding.

Oklahoma: After 60 years, the non-profit Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League shutdown due to “lack of funding”.

Pennsylvania: In Penn Township, after five years Work Zone Fitness shutdown, the owner admitting the local population, and economy, isn’t big enough to support fitness centers.

South Dakota: Sears Holdings announced the Sturgis Kmart will shutdown in November, 57 jobs lost.  In Spearfish, both Cellar Chics and Base Camp Adventure Sports shutting down. The owner of Cellar Chics blames health problems, the owner of Base Camp Adventure Sports blames “many factors”.  What construction industry recovery? The Ziegler Building Centers in both Rapid City and Spearfish shutting down after a fire destroyed one of the locations: “It was the fire. It’s the insurance.”-Jon Ziegler, owner

Tennessee: In Memphis, restaurant ¡Chiwawa! shutdown after two years, the owner claims he’ll open a new place as soon as he figures it out.  Can’t trust him ’cause the sign on the door says “Closed for Repairs”.

Texas:  The Texas Horse Racing Commission is shutting down due to “the agency will no longer be able to pay its employees or its rent”, blaming state ‘lawmakers’ for playing politics.

West Virginia: After 60 years the Workman’s IGA shutting down their Chapmanville grocery store: “We hate it most for our top notch team of employees. We hate it for the community as well because competition keeps prices where they should be….Because federal, state, and local governments are so overbearing with laws and regulations, it is hard for small businesses to exist. Workman’s IGA is closing…because running a small business, especially a grocery store, is just no fun anymore.“-owners

Wisconsin: In Appleton, after 16 years Sai Ram Indian Cuisine shutdown, the owner’s sons claiming that “It’s been hard to find employees.”  The owners are planning on spending more time back in India.

10 August 2015: Google rips off taxpayers!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

New Race War killing mom & pops! Proof Google rips off taxpayers!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 10 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Redlands, after ten years Treasures Antiques shutdown.  Albertsons-Safeway issued yet another layoff WARN for Pleasanton, this time 37 people to be unemployed in September. ObamaCare forcing nursing home operator Hank Fisher Properties to layoff 242 people between September and December!  ObamaCare forced Abbott Vascular to layoff 244 Californians!  In Paso Robles, the SPS Distribution Center will shutdown in September. In Ripon, Ruan Transportation is shutting down by September, 78 jobs lost.  In San Juan, Armstrong Growers shutting down in September, 56 jobs lost.  In Salinas, Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates shutting down in September, 38 jobs lost.  In Los Angeles, Turf Terminators laid off 94 employees.  In Santa Monica, Buca Restaurants 2 issued a shutdown WARN for September, 61 jobs lost. In Trona, CR Briggs laying off five employees in September.  In San Diego, United Technologies issued a shutdown WARN for September, 21 jobs lost.  Boston Scientific announced they’re shutting down their Fremont and San Jose operations in October, 455 jobs lost!  In Mountain Pass, Molycorp Minerals laying off 474 people by the end of the month!  In Oakland, Owens-Brockway Glass Container shutting down by October, 202 jobs lost! The Hilton San Francisco Union Square laying off 78 people in October.  In Orange, Binder & Binder shutting down in September, 70 jobs lost.  Bankrupt busted Anna’s Linens announced they’re shutting down their Costa Mesa store in September, 29 jobs lost.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 2-hundred stores across the U.S.

Massachusetts: In Boston Weak, after 96 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Quinzani’s Bakery shutting down next week, and being sold-off, 90 jobs lost.  Local news reports say the area has become a revolving door of failed businesses (“rapidly gentrifying”).

Michigan: According to local news reports dozens of protestors accuse the administrators of Saginaw of skin colorism after several ‘black’ owned businesses were suddenly shutdown!  Lonnie’s Lounge and Terry’s Place were shutdown after a triple shooting that took place in the same neighborhood.  Security camera video shows the bars were already closed for business when the shootings happened! Protestors say city administrators made the decision in secret: “I understand the police and the city have the right to shut down businesses, but I feel it shouldn’t be a closed session. There should be something more public and more people should have a say.”-Tobias Young

In addition access to a popular gathering spot, Ojibway Island, has been blocked by police after 16:00 hours: “It seems like we are being profiled and grouped together as violent and disrespectful, and I feel there are more of us that are tax-paying citizens than the few bad apples…..They are subconsciously telling African Americans that they are not welcome on the island….”-Irie Sample

New Mexico:  The administrators of Google aren’t that smart after all, they just have too much money to play with.  Google suddenly pulled its Titan Aerospace solar powered drone program from Moriarty Airport, the problem is that state taxpayers shelled out $955-thousand USD upgrading the airport just for Titan Aerospace.  State administrators claim they’ve successfully forced Google to pay back the “economic assistance funds”.  Yeah, like Google needs economic assistance?

New York: What housing market recovery?  In Geddes, after 45 years Jerry’s Carpets shutdown.

North Carolina:  What automotive industry recovery? In Raleigh, Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 former General Parts International employees.  In Durham, the Foster Street Daisy Cakes bakery shutting down next week, supposedly a popular donut shop is moving into the shop sometime this winter.

Ohio: In East Cleveland, Too Big to Jail KeyBank shutting down their office on Euclid Avenue, by November.  It’s part of their plan to shutdown 30 offices across the U.S.

Oklahoma: ObamaCare forcing residents of Broken Arrow to choose between the city’s new subscriber only LifeRide emergency medical services or paying outrageous ambulance fees.  City administrators say forcing residents to pay a “subscription” for ambulance service is the only way they can address skyrocketing costs.  Most residents will be automatically forced to subscribe as part of their city utilities service, while others have until the end of the month to “opt out” and hope they never need an ambulance.

Virginia: What automotive industry recovery?  Roanoke based Advanced Auto Parts laid off 50 corporate level employees, and will begin eliminating certain store “projects”.  It’s blamed on their take over of General Parts International.

08-09 August 2015:“…like chopping off the finger….”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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

“We’re in a dire state!” “…we just couldn’t do it anymore.” Code words used for coming Depression!: U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 07 August 2015

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Money manager at Janus Capital Group, Bill Gross, warned of coming Depression using code: “…dangerously close to deflationary growth.” 

California: In San Francisco’s South Park, Jeremys department store shutdown.  The owners blame a bad mix of technology and demographics: “We found that the technology demographic doesn’t really shop as much at Jeremys as the more creative types that used to live in South Park when we started.”-Jeremy Kidson, founder

Georgia: Toys R Us is shutting down their 19 years old Buckhead store, in September.  In Decatur, after almost three years Paper Plane bar and eatery shutdown, the owners didn’t say why, but tried to fool their fans by saying they had been taken over by Walmart.

Illinois: Gov’na Bruce Rauner wants to layoff 33 Conservation Police, unions say 34 counties will be without an officer.  The oldest executive outplacement firm in the U.S., Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said there were at least 105-thousand layoffs in July, the most monthly layoffs in the past four years!

Indiana: After 40 years the Wadesville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) shutdown: “We didn’t have enough members actively participating. We’ve kept it going for a long time with a bare minimum of people and it got to the point where we just couldn’t do it anymore.”-Jim Tomes

Kansas: The Clarette Club shutting down in favor of a chain restaurant called The Peanut.

Kentucky: After 30 years non-profit Kentucky Harvest warned they’ll be no more food for the poor: “We’re in a dire state! We’re inside four months operating cash left before we have to cease operation.”– Brent Smith, chairman

News reports indicate that donations to Kentucky Harvest are down partly because one of the founders is now in federal prison for stealing donations!

Nebraska: Julio’s Old Market restaurant shutdown because the property owner sold the building.

New York: Rumors are building that the Food Emporium on Greenwich Street in NYC is shutting down due to jacked up rent. The store manager is reported to have said “That’s news to me.”  That Which Cannot Be Named refuses to stop ObamaCare from forcing Menorah Licensed Homecare from laying off 63 people in Getzville, by September. In North Syracuse, hotel chain Ramada issued a shutdown WARN, 81 jobs lost in September.

Pennsylvania:Too Big to Jail Bank of New York Mellon issued a mass layoff WARN, 280 people to become jobless in Philadelphia!  Illinois based Atkore International announced it is shutting down its steel fence framework and sprinkler pipe products maker Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation in Philadelphia. They issued a shutdown WARN for October, 217 jobs lost!  Another 1-hundred Atkore jobs will be eliminated across the U.S.!  In Dubois, Fezell’s Sandy Township Shop N Save issued a shutdown WARN for October, 50 jobs lost.  In Delano, Leggett & Platt issued a shutdown WARN for October, 61 jobs lost.  In Williamsport, Universal Well Services finally notified state employment administrators that they shutdown back on 31 July, 77 jobs lost.

Texas:  In San Antonio,  Big Easy Cafe being forced to shutdown and look for a new home.  In Mineral Wells, NOV Fiberglass shutting down, 110 jobs lost in time for Xmas! Local news reports say most employees have already been let go, city administrators say they had no warning: “We had no advanced knowledge of this. Certainly any kind of closure is extremely undesirable.”-Lance Howerton, city manager

Virginia: A 26 years old locally owned Roanoke Piggly Wiggly grocery store shutdown due to crashing sales.

06 August 2015:Robots killing jobs!

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

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.”