Tag Archives: obamacare

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 April 2015: God joins exodus from The Big Apple! Proof the economy sucks, fewer tax returns! “These were deep and painful…We lost some very good people…”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: In Berkeley, Obama Care forced East Bay Perinatal Medical to issue a layoff WARN, saying 34 people will become jobless by the end of May.  British empire Australia based oil service company WorleyParsons Group issued two layoff WARNs, saying 90 Californians will become jobless at the end of May. It’s part of their plan to eliminate 2-thousand oil jobs, mainly in North America!  The Rolling Hills Country Club issued a layoff WARN, saying 60 people will be laid off by June.  In San Luis Obispo, after 42 years the Coastal Pool Center shutting down because the greedy property owner is evicting the family business.

Indiana: In Elkhart, the Youth and Community Center shutdown, due to repairs that the community center can’t afford to pay for.

Michigan: Hazel Park Schools announced they will eliminate 116 jobs and slash salaries over the next five years, due to what I call Disappearing Student Syndrome (a 30% decline since 2010)!

Minnesota: US Steel continues to kill jobs, this time 680 jobs are being eliminated at its Minntac ops!

Mississippi: In Jackson, after 87 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the owner of Mori Luggage & Gifts announced he will shut it down at the end of May: “To be honest, retailing isn’t fun any more because of online shoppers and social media…..All of our suppliers are on the Internet themselves.”-George S. Mori

Missouri: The taxman taketh, H&R Block announced it will eliminate 90 jobs, mainly from its Kansas City HQ.  Administrators blame 4.2% fewer tax returns being filed by the increasingly unemployed and underemployed U.S. workforce.

New York: LifeMed Pharmacy has been sold, 65 employees to be laid off in May.  In NYC, God refuses to stop his American Bible Society from shutting down.  Their WARN says layoffs begin in June, and they expect to be shutdown by December.  American Bible Society has joined the mass exodus from New York and is moving to Pennsylvania.  The Center for Educational Innovation issued a WARN saying they’ve lost a contract and at least 32 people will be laid off by July.  In Ward’s Island, Volunteers of America Keener Assessment & Rapid Rehousing issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their homeless shelter by June, 39 jobs affected due to loss of contract.  Some good news; in Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center has rescinded their plans to outsource their security guard jobs.

North Carolina: The Fayetteville Observer laid off 16 employees due to crashing revenues: “These were deep and painful cuts today…We lost some very good people…”-Charles Broadwell, publisher

Ohio: Evil CCA (Corrections Corporation of America), the for-profit contractor running the evil Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, has lost their contract and will eliminate 185 jobs!  Last year CCA got kicked out of Idaho for creating what became known as the Gladiator School prison.  After 17 years office supply business CP&E Marketing will shutdown in Coshocton by the end of the month.  It’s blamed partly on a death in the family.   Too Big to Jail Chase Bank announced it is shutting down its Warren office in June.

Pennsylvania: Spring based Carpenter Technology announced that the economy is so bad they will eliminate 260 jobs!  Administrators blame cuts in spending in the petroleum and military industries.  After 29 years Massachusetts based advertising company Mullen shutdown their Pittsburgh office.

Tennessee: The YMCA announced it is shutting down three operations; one in North Clarksville and two in Nashville, 130 jobs lost!  Administrators say the bad economy has caused them to lose more than $850-thousand USD last year.

Texas: Halliburton laid off more petroleum industry employees, this time 60 people at its Alice fracking ops.  Houston based oil equipment maker Frank’s International announced they are eliminating 6-hundred jobs!  ConocoPhillips, the largest independent oil company within the U.S., claims to have lost money in its last quarter and will begin eliminating an undisclosed number of jobs.

28 – 31 March 2015: “I don’t think we’ve seen the bottom yet.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the thousands of layoffs in its 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

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 28 – 31 March 2015: “I don’t think we’ve seen the bottom yet.” Hallmark going down!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: In Helena, after 13 years the owners of Frankie’s Market Café announced they are shutting down in April. They blame rising costs of operations, especially utility cots.  Jefferson County Board of Education will beginning laying off 160 employees in July!

California: In San Pablo, Obama Care forcing Doctors Medical Center to issue a shutdown WARN for April, 709 jobs lost!  In Fort Irwin, tax-sucker Northrop Grumman issued a WARN saying an additional 476 people will lose their jobs by June!  Vose Technical Systems also issued a WARN saying they will layoff 60 people at Fort Irwin, in May.  In San Francisco, Apollo Education issued two WARNs saying 38 people will be laid off between June and August.  Sutton Place issued a WARN saying they are shutting down by the end of May, 98 jobs lost.  Lightspeed-SkilledUp issued a WARN saying 27 people will be laid off in May.  In Mountain View, tech company Symantech continues to kill jobs, this time their latest WARN says 30 people will be let go in May.

Florida: In Panama City, Flexsteel Pipeline issued a WARN saying 70 people will be laid off by the end of the year.

Idaho: In Nampa, after 69 years Nafziger Men’s Store shutdown.

Indiana: In Evansville, Wesselman’s Supermarkets announced they will shutdown their Pollack Avenue store.

Louisiana: Oil derrick operator Loadmaster Derrick & Equipment revealed  they conducted “very minimal” layoffs the week prior.

Maryland: Men’s clothing chain store Jos. A. Bank issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their Hampstead HQ and 122 people will be laid off between May and December!  It’s blamed on the take over by Texas based Men’s Warehouse.  Reports say at one point Jos. A. Bank employed more than 7-hundred people in Hampstead.

Missouri: Kansas City based Hallmark Cards wants 2-hundred employees to voluntarily quit, and they’re offering buyout bribes for “eligible employees”!  Company administrators blame “changes in consumer spending”.  In Jackson, Nearly Perfect Shoes shutdown, a co-owner said it was because the local economy can no longer support two shoe stores less than eight miles apart.

New York: In Brooklyn, Milestone School for Child Development issued a WARN saying they will shutdown, 73 jobs lost in June.  In NYC, Skyline Tours announced they’ve been sold-off and 120 jobs will be affected! Grandpa’s Bus Service issued a massive shutdown WARN saying they lost their state Department of Education contract, more than 5-hundred jobs threatened!  In Loudonville, Sodexo issued a WARN saying they lost a major food service contract and will shutdown in June, 193 jobs lost!  DAL Global Services continues to warn that they could lose their contract with Etihad Airways at John F. Kennedy International Airport, 122 jobs lost in May!

North Dakota: In Bismarck, Box Office Video shutdown one of its two stores.

North Carolina: What housing market recovery? In Wilson, bathtub maker Bathcraft announced they will shutdown in May, 87 jobs lost.  HR director Sandy Moore directly blamed the crashing housing market.   In Asheville, the owner of Uncle Junebug’s General Store announced it will shutdown in April.  He blames construction projects: “I had no idea there was going to be so much development of hotels in that area. I’m almost certain that the entire length of my lease, which would have been three years, would have just been eaten up by construction.”-David Hawkins

Ohio: Columbus based oil tank maker Worthington Industries began laying off employees, without any warning.  More than 5-hundred people in Ohio and Kansas now unemployed, as one analyst said “I don’t think we’ve seen the bottom yet.” 

Oklahoma: In Tulsa, after 50 years Amir’s Persian Imports shutdown. The owner says he hopes to continue his rug cleaning business.

Rhode Island: The non-profit East Greenwich Animal Protection League shutdown due to lack of donations.

Virginia: 70 years old The Fine Arts Shop shutdown.  Store managers say the shutdown came without warning, and they thought it was financially stable.  The owners basically said they don’t want to deal with it anymore, and they want to retire while they’re on top.

West Virginia: In Huntington, Oregon based Precision Castparts laid off at least 1-hundred people at their Special Metals factory, without warning!  Administrators blame oil prices for its low “level of business activity.”

26 – 27 March 2015: “all options exhausted…no alternative”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 26 – 27 March 2015: “all options exhausted…we are left with no alternative” 2-thousand+ jobs lost in The Empire State! Money making & bailed-out banks kill jobs!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama: US Steel announced it will kill off 1-thousand 8-hundred jobs in The Yellowhammer State!  Company administrators blamed a plethora of reasons, including low steel prices and low oil prices.

California: In Hawthorne, Schencker issued a WARN saying 29 people will be laid off in May.  In Los Gatos, video game maker Cryptic Studios revealed they laid off 27 people without warning.  In Pico Rivera, Greatwide Distribution Logistics issued a layoff WARN saying 156 people will become jobless by the end of May!   Dex Media finally admitted they shutdown their Los Alamitos ops and laid off 49 people, back in February!  In Redwood City, The Perfect World laid off 31 people.  In Pacoima, Brice Manufacturing issued a layoff WARN saying 19 people will be let go in May.

Florida:  In Weston, American Express issued a layoff WARN saying 21 people will be laid off in May.  In Tampa, Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase issued a WARN saying 65 people will be laid off in May.

Illinois: US Steel has upped its Prairie State job killing to 2-thousand! In Lansing, after more than 90 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) De Jong Brothers Farm shutdown. The spinach farmers blamed ever increasing operating costs, especially those created artificially by new federal regulations (Food Safety Modernization Act), 30 jobs lost.

Iowa: In Des Moines, the owners of the 27 years old food store New City Market announced they will shutdown by the end of April: “A lot of it has to do with the business climate.”-Jim Raife

Maine: In Ellsworth, the Coffee Express shutdown, the owner refused to talk to local news media.

Massachusetts: Mitt Romney co-created, Framingham based Staples announced they will kill off 2-hundred jobs in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan!  Staples is shutting down their Regina call center by November.

Minnesota: What housing market recovery?  In Morris, the owners of Cullen’s Home Center announced they are shutting down in April: “It’s just a number of different factors and we feel terrible about it, obviously it was the last thing we wanted to do…”-John Cullen

Montana: Platinum miner Stillwater Mining announced they will shutdown their Billings office by summer.

New Jersey: The Paterson Board of Education has decided it will not jack up taxes on the impoverished taxpayers, but it means 363 school employees will become jobless next school year!

New York: In Lake Placid, after 90 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) another iconic Howard Johnson’s restaurant shutdown. It was one of only three left in the United States. The owner sold the property.   Corning Community College shutdown its 30 years old child care center.  What housing market recovery?  In Rochester, Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their mortgage ops in June, 390 jobs lost!   Pioneer Transportation issued a mass layoff WARN saying 991 transportation jobs will be lost, throughout three cities, by June!  In Bronx, Hoyt Transportation issued a shutdown WARN saying 349 people will become jobless in June!  In Long Island, Arrow Electronics announced they are taking part in the exodus from The Empire State, and will move 150 jobs to Colorado!  Arrow Electronics was once the largest employer in Long Island.

North Carolina: After 60 years Mohican Mills shutdown, 157 textile jobs lost!  In 2012 the company was voted Industry of the Year and employed more than 3-hundred people. The textile factory is now for sale: “We are truly sad that this action has to be taken but with all options exhausted to continue in business we are left with no alternative but to close.”-Steven Myers

Ohio: Republic Steel announced it will layoff 2-hundred people at their Lorain operations, blaming “declining conditions in the oil and gas markets as well as the reduced demand”.   The layoffs are rumored to begin at the end of the month.

Oklahoma: IPSCO Tubulars laid off 226 people, blaming “the low commodity price environment”!  Samson Resource laying off 270 people, blaming low oil prices and huge debt!

Oregon: In Portland, after 15 years the Red & Black Cafe shutdown. The owners were known to refuse service to cops. Their reason for shutting down was unclear, as they said they were just being responsible business owners.

Pennsylvania: The Express-Times newspaper announced they laid off an undisclosed number of employees.

Texas: In Amarillo, Too Big to Jail American International Group (AIG) laid off 20 people, this after getting a $1-million USD Amarillo Economic Development grant to create 120 jobs!  Administrators for AIG claim they haven’t touched that free money.  AIG also reported $7.5-billion in revenue for 2014, and don’t forget the $182-billion bailout given to AIG in 2008!

Wisconsin:  After 46 years DeLind’s Gallery of Fine Art shutting down just as soon as their inventory is sold off.

24 – 25 March 2015: “we were unable to get some sort of rescue plan.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 24 – 25 March 2015: “unforeseen circumstances beyond our control” Warren Buffet kills jobs in Texas! “we were unable to get some sort of rescue plan.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Arkansas:  World Gym announced it is shutting down three gyms in The Natural State.  An official company statement mentioned two; “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control we have been forced to close our Bentonville and Lowell World Gym locations.”  However, news reports say at least one other gym is being shutdown, and that the franchise owners claim they cannot afford to renew the leases.  Gym members are reporting they are not being allowed to cancel their memberships without paying penalties!

California: Technicolor issued a mass layoff WARN saying 162 people will become jobless in May!  Apparently Technicolor is also laying off people in London, England.  In Los Angeles, The Patina Group issued a temporary shutdown WARN, saying 75 people will become unemployed in June.

Connecticut: In Stafford Springs, 207 years old (surviving numerous depressions and recessions) Bakers Country Furniture shutdown.

Florida: In Orlando, apparently Aircraft Service International lost their Disney Magical Express contract, 204 jobs lost by May!

Iowa: In Davenport, a decades old Godfather’s Pizza shutdown: “The lease is up and for the amount of revenue it brings, it is not feasible to stay.”-Andy Fuhrman, co-owner

Massachusetts: Facing less funding, due to Disappearing Student Syndrome, Marshfield will eliminate seven elementary school jobs for the next school year.  In Charlton, Masonic Health System-Overlook Life Care Community laid off nine employees and cut the hours for eight others.

New Jersey: The Trenton School District says it must eliminate 226 jobs, and will shutdown schools due to a $19-million shortfall! But wait there’s more, previous announcements said a total of 350 jobs could be lost, once the state government puts out its final funding numbers for the 2015-16 school year! (and those layoffs are for just one of many school districts!)   State imposed emergency financial managers warned of massive layoffs for the crashing and burning Atlantic City.  It’s blamed on last year’s implosion of the city’s mega casino industry.   And what housing market recovery?  Atlantic City reports that property values have crashed 35% since last year!  Japan based legal drugs maker Daiichi Sankyo announced they will eliminate 16% of its U.S. workforce in Parsippany.

New York:  In NYC, Homes for the Homeless issued a shutdown WARN saying 34 people will become jobless in June.  In Garden City, Visiting Nurses Association of Long Island issued a shutdown WARN saying 93 people will be jobless by June.  In Brooklyn, Jofaz Transportation issued a shutdown WARN, due to loss of contract, saying 341 people will become jobless in June!  3rd Avenue Transit issued a shutdown WARN, due to loss of contract, saying 60 people will become jobless by June.  In Syracuse, Carrier Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for its warehouse, due to “relocation”, saying at least 58 people will become jobless by March 2016.  In Rochelle, after 65 years the Merry Go Round Toy Discount Center shutdown.  The owner said he tried to sell the business “but nothing panned out.”

North Carolina: British empire legal drugs pusher GlaxoSmithKline continues to kill jobs, this time 180 people in The Tar Heel State will become jobless!  Just the week prior GlaxoSmithKline said they would eliminate 150 jobs in Pennsylvania!

Ohio: Columbus based steel maker Worthington Industries says they will layoff 555 people across the U.S.!  They are shutting down at least one factory, blaming crashing orders from the oil industry.  American Electric Power is shutting down a coal fired electric plant, and laying off 62 people by May.  Administrators say it’s not worth it to update the electricity factory to comply with new EPA standards.

Pennsylvania: In Reading, British empire Canada based Surgical Specialties announced it will shutdown its ops in The Keystone State by December, at least 254 jobs will be moved to Mexico (possibly to avoid the new Obama Care taxes on medical devices)!  The Old Navy store at Carlisle Crossing shutdown, almost overnight!  Local news reports say the store manager posted a closing sign only two days prior to the shutdown.

South Carolina: Aircraft maintainer AvCraft now bankrupt after losing its ass financially and unable to find a buyer: “Unfortunately, we were unable to get some sort of rescue plan. We weren’t able to make that happen, so we were forced to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.”-Mike Hill

South Dakota: Motorcycle Trike maker Champion Investments-Champion Trikes announced they are shutting down their Lehman Trikes factory in Spearfish.  Company administrators admitted the economy is so bad in the U.S. that they’re moving manufacturing to California, and will focus sales ops in Asian countries!

Tennessee: Texas based computer maker Dell announced it will shutdown its international call center in Nashville, 96 jobs lost.

Texas:  Fort Worth based tax-sucking Bell Helicopter announced it will layoff 315 people across the U.S., due to crashing V-22 Osprey orders!  Bell laid off 320 people back in October!  Warren Buffet owned Justin Brands announced they will shutdown their Western Clothing distribution center in Fort Worth, and layoff 68 people by May.

Wisconsin: What housing market recovery?  Too Big to Jail Wells Fargo will layoff 1-thousand people when they shutdown their Milwaukee home loan service center this summer!   And Wells Fargo reported a $23.1-billion USD profit last year!  Rollcast-Advance Die Cast Company issued a WARN saying 75 people will ‘soon’ become jobless.  Sand supplier Chippewa Sand Transport says they must layoff 55 people, by May, due to decreased demand for sand.

21 – 23 March 2015: “LIKE PART OF YOU IS DYING.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 21 – 23 March 2015: “After 30 years…we can’t do it any longer.” “Like part of you is dying.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama:  In Birmingham, the Bottletree Cafe shutdown, reports say the property was sold, the owners said only “We have ten days left.”

Arkansas: Shale oil company M&M Environmental Group (notice the Orwellian Double Speak name of the oil company) lost a contract and instantly laid off 2-hundred employees!

California: Albertsons-Safeway issued a layoff WARN, saying another 72 people will be laid off in Pleasanton.  The new Los Angeles based owners of former British empire grocery store Fresh & Easy announced they will shutdown 50 Fresh & Easy stores across The Golden State, Arizona and Nevada!

Connecticut: In West Haven, decades old American Steakhouse shutdown. The owners say they have to “downsize” and claim they’re helping their employees find new jobs.

Hawaii:  After 22 years Imperial Jewelers shutdown, apparently to make room for a restaurant.

Massachusetts: Boston Weak ‘streetwear’ clothing company Karmaloop now chapter 11 bankrupt busted.

Minnesota: Minneapolis Public Schools announced they will eliminate 120 tax-sucking administrative jobs!  Administrators implied the money saved will now be focused on actual education.  Bloomington based tech company Nerdey laid off 23 employees.  In a complex way administrators blamed the bad economy: “Technology moves fast, forcing market demand to fluctuate. This fluctuation coupled with the pace of change in our industry has driven a shift on our resource utilization.”  

New Jersey: After 34 years the massive and expensive Izod Center is officially dead, 1-thousand 7-hundred jobs lost! “Like part of you is dying.”-Veronica Jackson, employee

New York: In Bronx, HHH Home Care apparently lost its Home health Care Services contract and issued a WARN, saying 72 people will become unemployed at the end of June.  In Syracuse, General Super Plating laid off about 1-hundred people, without notice!   Basically all but one of the company’s laborers were let go, yet company administrators say they’re still open for business.  God refuses to stop his 156 years old Saint Patrick School in Tiago County from shutting down. Administrators say enrollment has crashed & burned, they were able to get only 58 students for the year.

North Carolina:  In Raleigh, the owners of 518 West Italian Cafe said Easter Sunday is their last day of business. It sounds like they’re going to sell the property.

Ohio:  USA Synthetic Fuel now bankrupt busted, halting the Lima Energy Project.  The company is under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pennsylvania: In Collegeville, aerospace company Transicoil announced it will layoff at least 99 people by summer, as they shift motion control production to Kansas.  In Petersburg, legal drugs maker UniTao Pharmaceuticals shutdown without notice. Administrators actually said they won’t re-open until “business conditions improve”!  In 2014, govn’a Terry McAuliffe claimed the drugs maker was going to employ 370 people and even gave UniTao  $1-million in free taxpayer funded money!  UniTao now says it won’t accept the money.

South Dakota: In Tea, Oggie’s Grille & Bar shutdown.

Texas: In Hutchins, the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center warned it no longer has enough money to save wild birds: “After 30 years of absorption we can’t do it any longer.”-Kathy Rogers

19 – 20 March 2015: “the downturn ….will be severe”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 15 – 18 March 2015: “sudden and unanticipated events…” No more Red Cross? ObamaCare kills hundreds of jobs overnight!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Alabama:  After 43 years women’s clothing store The Wagon Wheel shutdown.  The owner says she must focus on other things.

California: In Carson, Tatung of America issued a shutdown WARN, saying 98 people will become jobless in May.  In San Diego, Japan based Sony laid off 75 employees.  In Santa Ana, ITT Cannon issued a layoff WARN saying 56 people will be unemployed by the end of May. The Red Cross shutting down its San Diego call center, 38 jobs lost.

Colorado: In Colorado Springs, 144 years old (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) Sinton Dairy Foods announced they will end fresh milk production and layoff 120 employees by May! It’s part of their plan to make a new extended shelf life milk.

Florida: In Orlando, DeVry University issued a layoff WARN saying 50 employees will be unemployed in May.  In Jacksonville, Bank of America WARNed that three more employees will be laid off in May.

Illinois:  Elgin School District U-46 announced they will eliminate 463 jobs!  It’s blamed on what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome).  The state court system is short $14-million USD, and is about to layoff court reporters.  The layoffs and reductions in hours will take place in April.

Iowa: In Ames, the Department of Natural Resources warned they might have to shutdown their 80 years old nursery.  Administrators say revenues are so low they can no longer support themselves.

Kentucky: In Bowling Green, after 29 years the owner of Steve’s Sports Cards announced he’s calling it quits in April, blaming the internet: “It’s been impossible for a single store to compete with the selection and the price you can find on the Internet.”

Maine: After 33 years the Grasshopper Shop in Ellsworth shutdown. No reason was given.

Maryland: Mass producer of frozen food Gourmet Express Acquisition now chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Company administrators blame crashing sales (an almost $20-million drop in sales).

Massachusetts:  The Red Cross announced it is shutting down its Springfield call center in May, 14 jobs lost.

Michigan: The city administrators of Saginaw say they’re being pro-active and will layoff 13 firefighters.  The city never had enough money to pay them anyway, their current salaries being paid for with federal taxes, which are scheduled to end in June.  The FutureMark paper mill in Manistique shutdown, 147 jobs lost!  Company administrators blamed “sudden and unanticipated events including loss of liquidity”.

Nebraska: In Omaha, Great Western Bank shutdown three offices.

New Hampshire: In Hampton, after 39 years O’Donnell’s Imports shutdown their brick-n-mortar store.  They will continue their Irish import business on the internet.

New Mexico: In Sante Fe, after almost 40 years Leishman’s Fine Furniture shutdown.  The owner said she must care for her parents.

New York: In Bronx, warehouse operator Morris Okun issued a shutdown WARN, saying 115 people will be jobless by June!  The property was sold-off.  In Rochester, metal shop Dayton Rogers issued a layoff WARN saying 35 people will be laid off in June, due to the bad economy.  Crashing & burning Viacom laid off “a number of executives and assistants” at Nickelodeon.

North Carolina: In Denton, Councill Furniture surprised its employees by announcing the shutdown of both its furniture factories!  The factories are actually owned by another company, which sold off the factories to a competitor.   Obama Care killed off a home care company overnight! Employees of Royal Home Care arrived to work to find a note stating “With the Medicaid reimbursement rate being inconsistence, another reimbursement rate cut at the beginning of this year, trying to meet everyone’s demand for a higher pay rate/salary, paying all employees in advance who came over from St. Mary’s and now being placed on a prepayment review by DMA due to the spike in volume of clients, Royal will no longer be able to take on anymore debts. Attempts to have the prepayment review status rescinded was unsuccessful. 

We regret to inform you, due to all the above we were forced to close the agency effective immediately.”  At least 24 employees never got their final paycheck, according to state labor administrators.

Cary based convenience store The Pantry is now owned by British empire Canadian company Alimentation Couche-Tard. As a result, at least 250 people in North Carolina are now being laid off!

South Dakota: In Sioux Falls, Great Western Bank shutdown two offices.

Texas: Fort Worth natural gas producer Quicksilver Resources now chapter chapter 11 bankrupt busted. Administrators say they’ve lost so much money they can’t pay debts that aren’t due until 2019!  Failed Radio Shack laid off “several dozens” of people at its Forth Worth HQ.

Virginia: Horizon Behavioral Health laid off 20 employees, blaming new state laws.

Wisconsin: In Marshfield, after 15 years The Back Porch shutdown, the owners said they had to care for their ill mother.

13 – 14 March 2015: Great Depression surviving variety store crashing & burning! 

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 04 – 05 March 2015: Another debt collector bites the dust! Capitalism blamed for killing off Lifestyle Lift! Obamacare to cause “more change than we’ve seen in the past 75 years combined.”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

What real estate recovery?  Internet based commercial office space seller 42Floors laid off at least 14 people in the cities of New York and San Francisco.  The company halted its commercial real estate brokerage ops and will focus on providing internet searches and listings only: “Over the past few months, 42Floors has experimented with being a brokerage in addition to being a commercial real estate data and search website. We’ve decided today to stick with what we’re best at…”-Jason Freedman, founder

U.S. based barrel maker Greif Incorporated announced it will end metal barrel production in two U.S. states, and in Germany.  The number of jobs to be lost were not made public.

Spain based ‘fast casual’ restaurant Mondatidos chain has placed 1-hundred of its U.S. restaurants into chapter 11 bankruptcy. It should be noted that none of Mondatidos restaurants in other countries are part of the bankruptcy, apparently the economy is that bad in the U.S.

Alabama: Bogue’s Restaurant now chapter 11 bankrupt busted: “A prime motivation factor for Bogue’s filing its reorganization case was to be able to pay its tax debts in an orderly manner.”-Bradley Hightower, attorney

California:  What housing market recovery?  Agoura Hills based InterThink sold off its mortgage division, resulting in at least 70 people being laid off.

Colorado: In Longmont, ‘spy’ satellite operator DigitalGlobe laid off 64 people.   It’s part of the company’s plan to kill 155 jobs across the United States!  Company administrators have been reporting profits but said their outlook for the future of the economy is grim, so they’re cutting jobs now.

Florida:  In Tampa, Ohio Retail Security & Mainstreet Maintenance issued a WARN saying at least 49 people will be laid off by the end of May.

Idaho: Will nuclear power plant operator Areva shutdown their Eagle Rock project?  The French government owned Areva revealed they lost more money.  This time they lost $5.4-billion USD, and as a result they will begin cutting back on their international operations (they refuse to give details about those cuts).

Indiana: In Vincennes, flat glass maker Schott Gemtron laid off 65 employees.  News reports did not indicate why.    hhgregg appliance store chain announced they will shutdown stores in Indianapolis and Richmond, at least 30 employees affected.  Two other stores are being consolidated.

Massachusetts: In Fenway, after four years Jerry Remy’s sports bar and grill shutdown.

Michigan: Byron Township based grocery chain owner SpartanNash announced they will shutdown ten grocery stores in their “western store base”. They say it’s necessary as part of their plans to “expand”.   In Flint, Kroger shutdown yet another grocery store. They shutdown their Davidson Road store, 65 jobs lost.

Minnesota: Bus operator SmartLink Transit announced they will layoff employees, including all its drivers, due to the loss of several contracts.  Company administrators say they will now contract out all the jobs, for less pay and no benefits.

New Jersey: Kean University announced it will layoff 54 janitors and grounds keepers.  The jobs will be contracted out.  University administrators claim they’re trying to cut $3.4-million per year, yet this didn’t stop them from spending $219-thousand on a conference table made in China!

New York: In Cortland, fishing materials supplier Cortland Line shutdown their three years old Riverside Plaza store.   In Orleans County, Brown’s Berry Patch shutdown its retail berry picking ops.  At LaGuardia Airport Terminal D, Airserv issued a shutdown WARN saying they lost their Gate Aviation contract and 178 people will become jobless at the beginning of June!  News reports claim that call center operator Sitel issued a WARN on 02 March, saying 120 people at their Painted Post call center will become jobless by April, however, I checked the New York Department of Labor’s WARN site and couldn’t find any such notice dated 02 March.  The same news reports said Sitel also WARNed in January they would layoff 278 people, but again, I couldn’t find the WARN on the New York Department of Labor’s website.   Pioneer Credit Recovery lost their federal contract to harass people who owe money on student loans.  4-hundred debt collectors to become jobless (That’s good news)!

North Carolina: Thinking about getting that plastic surgery?  Lifestyle Lift suddenly began shutting down their clinics, with no notice or explanation.  News reports say employees have been working without pay!  One doctor blames capitalism: “The more it’s treated like a commodity, the more you’re going to see failures like this.”-Stephen Finical

Ohio: The Buckeye State losing at least five CPS Operations owned Sears Appliance & Hardware stores, and possibly two Abtroit Limited Partnership owned Sears Appliance & Hardware stores by May (or until merchandise is sold out). They employ about 15 to 20 people each. Apparently the franchise owners of Sears Appliance & Hardware did not want to renew their contracts with Sears Holdings.

Pennsylvania: In Saint Marys, hospital Penn Highlands Elk announced they will eliminate 43 jobs and reduce the hours for 25 employees.   A local news report blamed “systemic changes implemented under the Affordable Care Act”.  Hospital administrator Raymond A. Graeca said “We’re facing a very different healthcare delivery environment today than we were five years ago, and the American Hospital Association is projecting that the next five years alone will hold more change than we’ve seen in the past 75 years combined.” 

Virginia: In Bristol, the soon to be officially owned by Staples Office Depot announced it will shutdown its customer care center, causing 140 people to become jobless by the end of May!  According to local news reports the shutdown was actually planned after Office Depot and OfficeMax merged in 2013.   In Fredericksburg, home decor store This and That shutdown their brick-n-mortar op.   One of the co-owners is pursuing a job in healthcare.  Apparently they still sell on the internet.

01 – 03 March 2015: “We weren’t expecting this at all!”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 01 – 03 March 2015: “We weren’t expecting this at all!” More bad news from Target! Oil company blames ‘climate change’ for bankruptcy! New term for downsizing; “Accelerating Reduction Leverage”!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

Bermuda based on-shore oil rig company Nabors Industries revealed they’ve killed off at least 35-hundred jobs in the United States!   While administrators told news media it was because of oil prices, CEO Anthony Petrello admitted to investors that the true reason is “They are shedding rigs based on a lack of long term contracts….”  CFO William Restrepo expects their U.S. rig count to fall by 50%.

Pepsi and Coca-Cola announced they will each shutdown at least one of their bottling ops in Russia, blaming U.S. sanctions.

California:  Employee management company Scarborough Management finally revealed they’ve gone bust and began shutting down offices across The Golden State starting back in January, more than 9-hundred jobs lost by May!  In Costa Mesa, hotel Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa issued a WARN saying they will temporarily shutdown in May, 85 jobs lost.  Colorado based solar power panel installer RGS Energy announced it will layoff 1-hundred Californians!  Company administrators say it’s the result of their new business model.

Florida: In Tampa, professional-tech services company Leidos issued a WARN saying 85 people will be laid off in April.  In Hollywood, military uniform maker and taxsucker Short Bark Industries issued a layoff WARN for May, saying 156 people will become unemployed!

Hawaii: Switzerland based GMO seed maker and farm chemicals seller Syngenta laid off 23 Hawaiians.  Administrators say it’s part of their “Accelerating Reduction Leverage program” meant to cut $1-billion USD in operating costs by 2018!  Proof the economy is not recovering.

Illinois: City administrators of Madison warned of layoffs for firefighters and police.  The Village of Madison is short $8-million, due to crashing tax revenues, which is caused only by a suck-ass-economy.   In Chicago, housewares retailer Crate & Barrel laid off under 30 of its HQ employees.  Administrators admit they don’t see any economic recovery happening, saying they need “to align our work force with our future business strategies.”  Also in Chicago, Oprah Winfrey turns her back and is moving her Harpo Studios to California, 2-hundred jobs lost!

Louisiana: Tulane University warned it must consider layoffs due to being constantly $20-million in the hole, year after year.

Massachusetts: State administrators warned they will force 45-hundred taxsucking state employees into early retirement starting in July!  The gov’na also wants to layoff an undisclosed number of state workers, saying the land of Boston Weak needs to cut $178-million from the upcoming fiscal year’s budget.  In Springfield, private Curtis Blake School shutdown with short notice to parents.  Administrators blame what I call DSS (Disappearing Student Syndrome), as usual parents were shocked by the bad economic news: “This is a big huge blow, we weren’t expecting this at all!”-Melissa Sullivan

Minnesota: Minneapolis based Target announced they will kill off several thousands of jobs by 2017!  It’s part of their plans to cut $2-billion in operating costs!  More proof there is no economic recovery.

Montana: In Kalispell, Obama Care forcing 30 patients to find a new assisted living center by April.  Reports indicate that the owner of Greenwood Village assisted living center can’t make money under Obama Care funding, so he’s turning it into a hotel!

New York: In East Elmhurst, Clarion Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for May, saying at least 44 employees will become jobless.  In North Syracuse, Seneca Data Distributors amended their 2014 WARN, saying their shutdown will take place by the end of April.  They are joining the mass exodus from The Empire State and moving to Arizona.  In Painted Post, Sitel Operating Corporation issued a shutdown WARN for April, due to the loss of a major client, 120 jobs lost!  In Huntington, Obama Care forcing mental healthcare provider The Pederson Krag Center to sell its offices across New York, at least 85 jobs lost between March and April (not known if new owner will continue operations).   Bank of New York Mellon issued a shutdown WARN for their One Wall Street office, saying 50 people will become jobless by July.  The Mondrian Soho Hotel issued a shutdown WARN for May, saying 201 employees will become jobless due to the property being foreclosed on!  The New York Times ended its Home section, several jobs lost.  Also in NYC, after 78 years the last sheet music store shutdown.  The owner of Frank Music Company blames crashing sales: “We went from seeing 15 to 20 people per day to seeing two or three. I went from feeling like I was at the center of the world to feeling invisible.”-Heidi Rogers

Oklahoma: WPX Energy announced it will layoff 83 natural gas industry workers across the U.S.  Also, most of the 156 employees in Colorado will be relocated to Oklahoma.  Company administrators admitted they never budgeted for a drop in natural gas prices: “We’ve evaluated many options to adjust our cost structure, and no solution is perfect.”– Rick Muncrief, CEO

Oregon: After 11 years U.S. Postal mail digitizer Earth Class Mail is now chapter 11 bankrupt, but only to make their sale more easy.  Earth Class Mail (Document Command and Remote Control Mail) turns your snail mail into electronic form so you can read it on your smart-phone.  The debt loaded Earth Class Mail (which has lost money every year) is being sold to an unnamed company.

Pennsylvania: In Canton, reports that after 40 years of doctor office operations Arnot Health Systems shut it down.   Local news reports say administrators with Arnot Health Systems would not talk to them.

South Dakota: In Aberdeen, after 106 years (surviving the Great deflationary Depression and numerous recessions) the family owners of Webb Shoe Company announced they will shutdown by May.  The owners said they will try to rent out the property, but a fundamental shift in local economies has taken place: “It’s a whole new ballgame. Downtowns everywhere have been changing. They aren’t like they were in the 1970s and ’80s and mid-’90s. Downtown businesses have more of a niche feel now, with specialty shops and restaurants…. People come in now, look for a certain size, then go buy online somewhere.”-Jon Webb

Tennessee: After 70 years the Christian God refuses to stop the shutdown of Tennessee Temple University.   Local news reports say some student athletes were told about the shutdown, and were also told not to tell anybody about it.

Texas:  Wisconsin based Hamilton Scientific issued a WARN revealing they shutdown their Round Rock operations, 67 jobs lost.  Administrators blamed “unforeseen business circumstances”.   Evil call center contractor Convergys announced they will layoff 281 people at their Pharr call center, by the end of April!   Administrators blamed the property owner saying “Basically our lease on the building will expire on August 31 and we decided not to renew the lease in that location.”  Houston based off-shore oil rig company Cal Dive now chapter 11 bankrupt busted after failing to make the $2.2-million interest payment on a massive loan!  Don’t blame oil prices, company administrators say they’ve been losing money since last year, after bad weather canceled at least two major projects: “Our business has experienced several adverse events that were beyond our control, and with our current capital structure, we are no longer able to financially withstand the industry downturn.”-Quinn Hébert, CEO

Virginia: In Midlothian, Kids R Kids daycare center shutdown with only one weeks notice.  The operators said they’ve “experienced a period of financial difficulty and can no longer sustain ongoing operations.”  180 children affected.

West Virginia: First Community Bank announced they will shutdown their Mercer Mall office in May, blaming lack of “traffic”.

27 – 28 February 2015: “we have not been spared”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics, Idaho

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 27 – 28 February 2015: “We have not been spared…” “…1,200 plus employees may not be getting a paycheck.” Obamacare at it again! More BS in the oil sector! Harassing A-hole debt collectors soon to join unemployment line!

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

An east coast health insurance company is killing jobs, no thanks to Obama Care.  Highmark laid off almost 1-hundred people in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia!  Administrators admit that since Obama Care went into effect they’ve actually lost customers, so much so that they have to make drastic cuts!  Apparently Obama Care favors Highmark’s competitor Aetna as many of Highmark’s customers were forced to change insurance plans and become Aetna and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center customers.    One report says Highmark lost 60% of “market share” just in the western half of Pennsylvania!   What was that about Obama Care increasing access to healthcare?

Arizona: In Green Valley, after 14 years The Old Time Butcher Shop announced it will shutdown in March. The owners say a 60% drop in business is a sign to spend more time with their great-grand-children.

California:  Castaic Union School District has approved the elimination of at least 43 jobs.  Those still employed will be forced to take unpaid days off (furlough).   It’s blamed on what I call DSS (Disapearing Student Syndrome), district administrators say the school system has lost more than 1-thousand students over the past ten years!

Colorado:  In Denver, after 35 years the owner of Hollywood Posters announced he must shut it down by April.  It’s blamed on evil landlords jacking up the rent: “We’re seeing a re-gentrifying of East Colfax. Rates are going crazy!”-Carolyn Martinez, commercial real estate agent

Connecticut:  Evil Too Big to Jail Royal Bank of Scotland (aka RBS) announced it will eliminate more than 1-thousand U.S. jobs in Stamford!  The British empire bank said it’s part of their plans to cut global operations down from 38 countries to just 13.

Idaho: The Idaho Department of Labor has finally posted some past due WARNs issued by Kimbal and Plum Creek Timber (in my earlier Job Loss reports I noted that no WARNs had been posted concerning their layoffs-shutdowns).  Also, a WARN was posted by food producer Simplot saying 20 people will be laid off from their Aberdeen ops in April.

Illinois:  In Peru, OfficeMax is quietly shutting down its call center, 275 employees were ordered to keep their mouths shut!  Local news reports say the shutdown will happen in March.  Apparently OfficeMax is moving the call center offshore to India.  The 42 years old Aurora Child Development Center shutting down due to state funding problems.  Administrators say the great state of Illinois is at least three months behind on their Child Care Assistance Program payments!

Indiana:  US Steel (aka USS) shutting down the last of their Gary coke factories by May, 3-hundred jobs lost!  Administrators blame the crashing steel market and the fact that they’ve spent big bucks on building a new coke factory in Alabama.

Michigan: Evil debt collector Asset Acceptance Capital announced it will layoff 125 call center employees in May!  Good, now those harassing ass-holes will know what it’s like when you can’t pay your bills!

Missouri: A major advertising company in Saint Louis laid off 15 people.  Administrators of Osborn Barr blame crashing orders for advertisements from its primary client; the farm industry.

New York: Bankrupt NYC based women’s clothing chain Cache issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their administrative offices by March, 1-hundred jobs lost!  Is Obama Care responsible for the shutdown of Jewish home healthcare services?  In Bronx, FEGS (Federation Employment and Guidance Services) Family Care Services (Jewish Home Healthcare) issued a WARN saying they lost their contract with the state Children Services, 80 jobs lost by March. FEGS also issued a WARN saying as a result they must “restructure” resulting in at least 206 employees across the state becoming jobless by May!  In West Point, Land O’Frost announced it will shutdown its recently acquired Wimmer’s Meats factory by Autumn. Company administrators claim they had plans to operate the factory for years to come, but the economy is worse than they thought, 125 jobs lost!

Ohio: Amazingly TimkenSteel is blaming low oil prices for laying off 52 steel workers in March!  Apparently TimkenSteel customers work in the oil industry and orders have crashed.

Puerto Rico: The FDIC seized the assets of Doral Bank and turned them over to Banco Popular of Puerto Rico.

Texas: Oil industry tool maker Dresser-Rand announced it will kill off about 650 jobs!  Administrators blame crashing orders from the oil industry, however, the true reason could be that Dresser-Rand is trying to make itself look lean and mean as it hopes to sell itself to Germany’s Siemens for $7.6-billion USD.

Washington:  In Everett, Illinois based Boeing has notified 319 employees that they will become jobless in April!  In late 2013 state politicians extended tax breaks for Boeing for the sole purpose of keeping jobs alive, now they’re trying to get that money back.    After less than one year of operation Trios Medical Center now in big financial trouble no thanks to Obama Care (referred to as “the changing healthcare market”) with CEO Glen Marshall explaining that “The national trend has and will continue to be one of doing more with less. We have not been spared in that regard.”  40 employees laid off without notice and hospital assets are now being sold off.  An unnamed employee told local news media “On Fridays, on paydays, people are frantically checking their bank accounts to see if they’ll get paid. It’s a real fear that 1,200 plus employees may not be getting a paycheck.”

Wisconsin: Pay/Half clothing store shutting down in the Regency Mall.  No closure date was reported, and neither was an explanation given.

23 – 26 February 2015: “…the economy has dictated.”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.

Business/Economics

U.S. Job Losses & Store Closings, 23 – 26 February 2015: “The shop was losing so much money…” “…a huge drop in sales…” “…the economy has dictated.” “…makes it financially impossible…”

Incomplete list of publicly announced layoffs & shutdowns:

California: Once again Boeing issued several WARNs, this time at least 94 people will be laid off by the end of April.  Due to the hostile take over by Cerberus Albertsons, Safeway issued several more WARNs saying at least 132 people will lose their jobs in Pleasanton and Dublin.  In San Diego more job destruction; DialAmerica issued a WARN saying they’re shutting down their factory by May, 227 jobs lost!  Midland Credit issued a WARN saying 40 people will be laid off in May.  Active Network issued a layoff WARN saying 53 people will become jobless at the beginning of May.  In Los Angeles, is Obama Care behind the layoff of 15 employees at the Bienvenidos Children Center?  The WARN only says the layoffs will take place in April.  In Torrance, Japanese CD maker Panasonic issued a WARN saying they will shut down their disk factory by the end of April, at least 87 jobs lost.  In Pittsburg, steel maker USS-POSCO issued a WARN saying they must “temporarily” shutdown their factory at the end of April, at least 666 jobs lost!  In Valencia, Better Bakery issued a layoff WARN for April, 45 jobs lost.  In San Francisco, RealPage issued a shutdown WARN for April, 89 jobs lost.  In Shafter, more Baker Hughes oil employees getting the shaft as 50 were rendered jobless without warning.  Don’t blame oil prices, blame the take over by Halliburton.  In Vernon, V&L Produce issued a layoff WARN saying 87 people will be laid off by the end of April.  Palo Alto based Hewlett Packard (HP) announced it will kill off even more jobs, just as soon as it’s done killing off 55-thousand jobs currently!  It’s part of the company’s plans to be split into two separate entities.  Maker of revolutionary Light Field Cameras, Lytro is reportedly laying off 50 employees, apparently because the successful company is shifting focus to internet-social media and video.

Colorado: Lakewood based Einstein Bros Bagels announced it will shutdown 39 stores across the United States, apparently due to lack of sales: “After careful evaluation, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. (“ENRGI”) has come to the difficult decision to close 39 underperforming restaurants, effective Tuesday, February 24, 2015.” 

Connecticut: Ohio based grocery store XPect Discounts announced it will shutdown all remaining stores in The Constitution State by the end of 2015!  Local news reports say no ‘official’ reason was given.  In Southbury, after 12 years the owners of Koenig Art Emporium announced they will shutdown in March saying “as the economy has dictated.”

Florida: Another women’s clothing operation going down; local news reports say Fort Myers based Chico’s is about to layoff huge numbers of employees due to the failure to find a buyer.  120 stores will be shutdown by 2017, with a minimum of 240 jobs lost! Company administrators blame an “unexpected” jump in operating costs, and blames bad sales on those evil fickle female shoppers.

Illinois: In Naperville, the Hollywood Palms Theater is now chapter 11 bankrupt busted and up for sale.  The owner was recently arrested and charged with fraud and tax evasion.

Indiana: ModusLink issued a WARN saying 320 people will become jobless in April!  Administrators say they lost a major client.

Massachusetts:   It may have survived the Marathon bombing but it can’t survive the Boston Weak economy; the iconic FORUM Bar & Restaurant shutdown, the owner blames evil property owners for killing it off: “After the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon….four long months of reconstruction…bureaucracy…the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent…nearly three times our current rate…makes it financially impossible…”

Michigan: In Mount Morris, after 43 years meijer department and grocery store shutdown. Administrators basically said the sales were not high enough to justify renewing the lease. News reports say the building will be torn down, but no other info was available, 190 jobs lost!   In Port Huron, after more than ten years the Backyard Soaps and Candles retail outlet shutdown.  The owners blamed the bad economy saying “The shop was losing so much money…we didn’t get enough foot traffic.”  The soap maker still sells over the internet.

Missouri: Toys R Us is shutting down their Ferguson store in March, 36 jobs lost.  The property is up for sale.

Nebraska: Italy-Netherlands based New Holland farm equipment maker CNH Industrial announced they will layoff 136 U.S. citizens at their Grand Island factory by the end of July!  Company administrators blame the bad global economy for crashing sales.

Nevada: In Reno, after 11 years the Tronix Nightclub shutdown, blaming “a huge drop in sales and customer’s support”.

New Jersey:  After 65 years the Surflight Theater now chapter 7 bankrupt busted and dead.  The operators blame years of bad sales and a 2012 fire followed by damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.  In 2014 they tried to raise money through private donations, but failed.  Pennsylvania based arena operator Aramark announced that more than 17-hundred jobs will be lost when they shutdown the Izod Center after March!  Administrators blame crashing ticket sales.

New York:  Sears Holdings issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Bay Shore Product Rebuild Center in May, 134 jobs lost!   Internet based real estate company Trulia issued a WARN saying they will layoff a small number of employees by August, it’s connected to the hostile takeover by internet based Zwillow.  Peninsula Counseling Center issued a WARN saying they will shutdown their Valley Stream Article 31 Clinic in April, 77 jobs lost (is Obama Care to blame?).   Too Big to Jail Community National Bank issued a WARN relating to their 2014 sale to Bridgehampton National Bank (aka Bridge Bankcorp), more than 1-hundred jobs could be lost by May!  Too Big to Jail Bank of America announced that 53 people will become unemployed as they shutdown their Jericho mortgage office.  In NYC owner of Comedy Central and MTV, Viacom is warning of massive layoffs, blaming crashing ratings.  Too Big to Jail JP Morgan Chase announced they will shutdown 3-hundred offices over the next two years, blaming new rules penalizing big banks for having large uninsured accounts.

North Carolina: Charlotte Marriott City Center hotel laid off 68 people, blaming remodeling work.  In Charlotte, famous chef Emeril announced he is shutting down his e2 emeril’s eatery and e2GO in April: “The restaurant was never able to achieve the volume projected…”-facebook statement

Pennsylvania:   O’Hara based Giant Eagle owned Good Cents Grocery shutting down all eight stores in Pennsylvania and Ohio, in March. Administrators with Giant Eagle blamed the bad economy for the failure of their Good Cents Grocery chain. Some of the Good Cents Grocery stores had been open for only one year, replacing Valu King stores! Each store has about 35 employees.   Noble Energy announced it is shutting down it’s 83 years old Ardmore office, 125 jobs lost!  Company administrators blame the volatile oil industry, and also warned they will consolidate their Texas ops saying “by the end of April, folks will know whether they do or don’t have a position”.

Rhode Island: Obama Care destroys 41 jobs at the Women & Infants Hospital. Work hours for other employees are being reduced.  Local news reports referred to Obama Care as a “challenging healthcare environment”.

Texas: Oil field company Tenaris announced it will shutdown its Conroe ops by April, 230 jobs lost! But wait, don’t blame it all on oil prices, company administrators say the main reason is “Record levels of unfairly traded imports of OCTG (oil country tubular goods) from South Korea…”  In Waco, aircraft company L-3 laid off 115 people!  Company administrators blamed “reduced volume of work”.

Washington: Reports that student travel company People to People laid off about 50 people in Spokane.  Local news reports say company administrators refuse to comment.  At one point the company had 2-hundred employees but is apparently down to just 50 after this latest round of layoffs.  The owner of Boat Street Cafe says she will shut it down in May, she still has two other restaurants.  Redmond based Microsoft announced it will shutdown two factories in China by the end of March, killing off 9-thousand jobs!

19 – 22 February 2015: “It absolutely killed us…”

WARN=Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shutdown. It doesn’t count people who get a severance for being laid off.