Another One Bites The Dust!!

[Happy Mom]

Whirlpool to cut 216 jobs, close Benton Harbor plant
BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Whirlpool says it will close a machining facility in Benton Harbor, Mich. and eliminating 216 jobs as a result.

The appliance maker said Tuesday that it is discontinuing the production of components made at the Michigan plant and making its latest laundry products at a location in Clyde, Ohio. The Michigan plant is expected to close at the end of 2010 or early in 2011.

Whirlpool has roughly 67,000 employees worldwide. About 17,000 of them work in manufacturing.

Shares of Whirlpool fell more than more than 3 percent in early afternoon trading to $101.22.
http://sbtinfo.com/article/20100601/News01/100609952

[southsider]

Crappy news

[Happy Mom]

Total Industries closes
45 people lose their jobs.

By JIM MEENAN
Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND ——Total Industries International of South Bend closed Friday, an owner confirmed Monday afternoon.

Lynn Long said the company was shut down by a bank Friday, and he expects the bank to liquidate the company.

That means the 45 employees there are out of work, he confirmed, as he sat outside the business in his vehicle.

Total Industries, which is located just north of the South Bend Regional Airport at 3333 West Lathrop Drive, is a plant that produced aluminum and steel molds and tooling.

"I have worked here since 1986; it was a sad weekend," Long said. "We are one of the manufacturing sites decimated by the recession. It had a lot to do with it."

He said banks are not willing to do much for smaller companies struggling with their credit.

Long did say that reports that people who worked there had lost their pensions are not true.

The 45,000-square-foot plant once employed 65 people, and was founded in 1984, according to the company's website.

The company touted its single-source planning, communication and control on the site.

Jeff Gibney, director of the department of community and economic development for South Bend, said the company did not contact his department for help.

However, that department does offer companies help, taking the second position on loans after checking their credit background.

Such loans first require a primary lender.

"We manage an industrial revolving loan fund that is low interest," Gibney said. "We don't have zillions of dollars, but we have money. It's a revolving loan fund; terms are reasonable. We take a second position on all loans, which is attractive to some people that can't borrow the full amount they need from a traditional lender."

A company might need $500,000, Gibney said, and can only get a loan for $300,000. His department might then loan the additional $200,000.

"So we will come in and make up a potential gap or complete the financing that they need, and put ourselves in a second position, which makes the primary lender more comfortable."

The lack of contact with his department might indicate that Total Industries International was beyond that point.
http://sbtinfo.com/article/20100608/News01/6080308/1130

[backstagedee]

American Countryside market reportedly will close in early September

By HEIDI PRESCOTT
Tribune Staff Writer

ELKHART — American Countryside Farmers Market will close in early September after more than three years in operation.

The market's final day will be Sept. 4, officials said late Wednesday in an e-mailed announcement from The Troyer Group, the Mishawaka architectural firm that designed the building.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pb ... 29427/1130

[bdcbbq]

I suspected this was coming. It seems the vendors can't make it go with the economy the way it is. The number of roadside stands also takes a little business away. I'm sure there that booth rental is probably pretty high to help pay the mortgage for the place. I'm sure it wasn't cheap to build. But it is a beautiful building. I hope the market can make a come back.

[Happy Mom]

I was disappointed in that it was all vendors and no produce or flowers or a true Farmer's Market.. I could care less about knick knacks and junk. I wanted produce, bakeries, homemade breads, flowers, and fruits and vegetables. None of that was for sale when I was there.

[backstagedee]

http://elkhart.fnismls.com/publink/defa ... Report=Yes

Asking Price$419,000
TownshipCONCORDTOWNSHIP
Taxes2449.00

Wow, I would love a tax bill like that.

[johndobee]

I was disappointed in that it was all vendors and no produce or flowers or a true Farmer's Market.. I could care less about knick knacks and junk. I wanted produce, bakeries, homemade breads, flowers, and fruits and vegetables. None of that was for sale when I was there.

Very true. My favorite part about it was the Amish family that had a stand there where they sold their butter and cheese. Killer stuff!! The rest was crap. Candles, and trinkets. Definately NOT enough to pay the gas bill!

[johndobee]

http://elkhart.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=50a08710-a412-46a8-833a-f4b05a400d47&Report=Yes

Asking Price$419,000
TownshipCONCORDTOWNSHIP
Taxes2449.00

Wow, I would love a tax bill like that.

Hang on,, am I reading that right?? They're only asking 419k for the WHOLE PROPERTY??? Wow, that is a steal if true! I would bet that between land acquistion, and construction, that place cost well over a million to build initially! Now factor in the comped infrastructure improvements done at county expense. Turn lane. Traffic lite. Half mile, four lane road widening. For less than 500k you can have a crown jewel property that is zoned for just about whatever you want to do with it??
Unreal.

[johndobee]

BTW,,, that would be a great place to get a casino license.
Or, it would be just as great with two to four themed bars or restaurants