RV layoffs ‘a tragedy’ for small town of Wakarusaby Darla Hernandez (darlah@wsbt.com)
The small town of Wakarusa, population 1,600, is bracing for a big ripple effect when Monaco Coach closes its plant there and 1,000 workers lose their jobs. (WSBT photo) WAKARUSA — One of Elkhart County's largest employers is cutting more than a thousand jobs. Monaco Coach is permanently closing plants in Elkhart, Wakarusa and Nappanee. This enormous layoff will have the biggest impact on the small town of Wakarusa. Related Content
The Wakarusa plant had the most employees with over 1,000 workers in that location. The entire town’s population is only a little over 1,600. It’s not only going to hurt hundreds of families, but it's going to hurt the town as well — everything from local businesses to property taxes. Wakarusa Town Manager Tom Roeder told WSBT News a lot of the town budget came from Monaco. In fact, he says they paid about $200,000 in property taxes. Without that money, the town may have to cut services and employees as well. "I never had a phone call quite like that before,” Roeder said. He says when an employee with Monaco Coach called him to say they were closing for good his stomach sank. "It's a tragedy for the town of Wakarusa; not only the employees and their families but the local businesses,” he added. A hairstylist with "The Clip and Curl" downtown Wakarusa says everyone is stunned by the news. “I just feel sorry for these young people that have families to support,” she said. “I mean I knew things were down but I didn't think they would close the doors." In the 28 years Stanley Cook has been cooking up business, he says he's not been served such a blow that affects the entire town. "We'll feel it mostly at the noon hours because we do a lot of business with Monaco,” he said. “I feel bad for the employees that have had the bad news.” Cook says he's expecting to take at least a 10 percent cut in business. Many say they are worried with this already small town which could get even fewer people downtown and fewer dollars as well. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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