Only 400 people still work at the Twinsburg auto plant producing parts for Chrysler - that's just 10% of the former staff. It's set to close completely in June.
For 45.5 million dollars, the new owner is Canadian liquidator Maynards Industries, which is expected to sell off its' acquisition piecemeal.
Twinsburg officials had hoped to see the plant and its equipment go to another manufacturer. Cleveland based Park Corporation, which makes industrial machinery, had also offered to buy the building, but it was outbid in bankruptcy court Wednesday.
Twinsburg Mayor Kathy Procop called the sale one of the worst things that could have happened from the city's perspective. Early Thursday, she talked with leadership at Maynards for the first time. She says only a glimmer of hope remains for the plant to be utilized as it was. Her fear is that the valuable machinery inside will be sold first, leaving the huge building vacant, deteriorating, and on the market for who knows how long.
MAYOR KATHY PROCOP:
"I believe there's a lot of opportunities for the property itself. We know that there's some state assistance out there that we can tap into. Redevelopment possibilities are certainly in the future, but - that doesn't help the employment situation right now for those people who are working there."
Mayor Procop says Maynard's has no final plans yet, but has agreed to meet with her at the end of the month. She's requested continued state, county, and congressional assistance to help former plant workers restart their lives.
Rick Jackson, 90.3.
