| ALCOA SHUTDOWN A HUGE
KICK IN THE PANTS SAYS OUTGOING MAYOR GEDDES 23 November 2006 - A huge kick in the pants is how outgoing Collingwood Mayor Terry Geddes describes the news that Alcoa, one of the towns largest employers, may close its doors. He says this is just not the kind of news he wanted to hear as he leaves office or the community wants to hear heading into the Christmas season. The company employees about 350 people. Geddes says that the Alcoa Wheel Products plant is contemplating closing because there simply is no market for its products. The company says because of the decline in the domestic automotive market, they have lost key contracts with GM, Chrysler and Honda. A meeting will take place tomorrow between the company, himself, Mayor elect Chris Carrier , MP Helena Guergis and MPP Mike Wilson to explore what options are available. Geddes implied that in reality there is not a lot anyone can really do if the business is just not there. However Mayor Terry Geddes says this meeting will look at other ways the town could support the company and help it lower costs to keep it in business. Already Collingwood is helping the company regulate its electricity costs and potential re generation opportunities. Geddies says they also will be looking towards Queens Park to see if there is any kind of incentives that can be offered to the company to keep the plant operational. |
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Click here for the Alcoa Press Release announcing the potential closure |