It’s official: We’re in a recession
December 2, 2008
The news the past few days hasn’t really been a surprise — it’s been pretty obvious we’ve been in a recession, and it only took the “official” tag to make it, well, official. We’ve written about the local economy in Sanford the past few weeks … and while I believe Sanford and North Carolina will ultimately survive because we’re not relying on the auto industry or major banks (with the exception of Wachovia) to keep going, we haven’t been immune to the problems.
Consider the following in Lee County in the past few months:
• Wyeth, the county’s largest employer, has cut more than 100 jobs
• We’ve been told the Sanford Magneti Marelli plant has laid off some workers … though we’re still trying to track that one down.
• There have been a few brick and textile plants shutting down this year, and some have announced spans of non-production to save money.
My family felt the recession’s giant fists this week, as my dad and step-mom (plus my step-sister and her husband) all work for Pilgrim’s Pride’s main plant in Pittsburg, Tx. The company announced bankruptcy this week, and announced it would cut 300-plus jobs. My step-mom was one of the cuts. Definitely not a nice “Christmas gift.” The Siler City Pilgrim’s plant shut down earlier this year, and the Sanford plant is telling us the bankruptcy won’t have an effect on them … for now.
I, of course, don’t have the answer to what it will take to get us out of all of this. I’m a believer that the economy will right itself eventually, and we shouldn’t be bailing out one industry when so many others are struggling as well. My wife and I are fortunate we still have jobs. I work in an industry that’s hurting (the newspaper industry), though I don’t see losing my job in the foreseeable future. I could be wrong.
I will, however, consider others more this holiday season and I hope others do as well. That seems to be all we can do … support local businesses if we can and help out our fellow man.
And when this recession dies down … then let’s live like it’s the 80s and spend like hell.
Bright yellow Ferrari, anyone?
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1.
Bob St Clair | December 2, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I wish everyone affected by this Pilgrim Pride bankruptcy all the best.
Sorry to hear your step mom was part of the lay off.
2.
Al Roethlisberger | December 3, 2008 at 10:23 am
It is, and has been for the last couple years, a tough time for sure, and I empathize with everyone having gone through a layoff myself just 2 years ago.
I also had a friend in college who’s family worked for the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Pittsburg, TX so I understand how any cutback there will impact that community.
As I read about more and more layoffs across the nation, I always wonder just where those 100, 300, or 50,000 people are going to go?? It’s very sad.
Al
3.
Wendy Harmon | December 3, 2008 at 11:09 am
Sorry about your step mom losing her job. Let’s not forget that the auto industry has already left alot of people in this county without jobs. Let’s not forget GKN. A very stable employer in this county for many years. Now there are alot of people traveling a 120 miles roundtrip everyday to work in their sister plant in Alamance County. One good thing about it is that the gas there is 25-30 cent cheaper than here in Lee County. Where do you think they spend their gas money at?
4.
Tammy Hebert | December 3, 2008 at 5:54 pm
It is kind of hard to compare the auto industry to the chicken plants. The best thing for the auto industry is for them to declare bankruptcy – do away with the ridiculous unions that are the problem anyway – and start over. Maybe then it will all work out.
It is a terrible time but all anyone can do is keep their chin up and realize that it can only go so far down before it has to start going up.
Thank goodness my family is military- they wont’ take away our jobs – now raises each year well we aren’t counting on one this January.