Maytag plant closing will crush regional economy

Galesburg, IL - When Maytag shifts its refrigerator production from Galesburg, IL to Reynosa, Mexico, the effects will be felt throughout the local and regional economy.

A study by the Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center (RETAC) found that there will be 3,600 to 5,600 fewer jobs in the region after Maytag closes. That includes the 1,600 IAM members who will lose their jobs at Maytag.

"When a company like Maytag abandons a community like Galesburg and moves to Mexico, the collateral damage is far greater than many people realize," said Midwest Territory GVP Alex Bay. "The big lie of NAFTA is right here for anyone to see."

The shutdown will have ripple effects throughout Knox County and beyond. It is estimated that $111 million in payroll dollars will be lost. That dollar amount includes $61 million in payroll for Maytag workers and $50 million in payroll for non-Maytag workers.