Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

58 Lose Jobs As Plant Closes

More jobs were lost in the area last week when Prescott Manufacturing closed down.

According to Jim Sharkey, executive director with the Nevada County Economic Development Office, 58 workers were notified of the closure. He said the problem is Prescott Manufacturing is an industry heavily impacted by the North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA), and most of the business is going to Mexico and offshore.

However, these workers will be assisted in finding new employment through the Governor's Dislocated Worker Task Force.

Sharkey said five other clothing-type plants in the state have closed recently as well. "It appears as though more will close," he said of the garment industry.

All is not lost, though. Sharkey and State Sen. Mike Ross are working with potential buyers of products made by Prescott Manufacturing, as is the owner of the plant.

In addition, Sharkey said there are plans for the building on file at the NCEDO, and there has been some interest shown in another company possibly buying or leasing the property. These plans, he said, are also in file with the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (AIDC) in Little Rock.

Workers, according to Sharkey, will be able to participate in a worker assistant workshop which will help them find other work, or further their education.

The plant was officially declared closed Friday.