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Shadyside Business Owner Predicts Downturn with Closure of Commercial Vehicle Group Inc. Plant

SHADYSIDE — The announcement Thursday that Commercial Vehicle Group Inc. plans to close its doors within one year came as a shock to employees and residents of the area.

“There was no warning,” said Sunni Burnett, who works with Lindsay Twarog at the Shadyside Clinic. “The company shutting down and the layoffs was a total shock to everyone. There weren’t even rumors this might be happening like with the coal mines.”

Twarog said she has several clients who are employed by or whose spouses are employed by CVG. They are already experiencing the fallout of the company closing, she said.

“They are already laid off, at least for the next week or two,” said Twarog. “They are expecting massive layoffs in October or November, which will not only affect the employees but their families. They will lose not only their income but health care, and that can be devastating.”

Twarog said her clinic is ready to be there for those affected by the plant closing and will work with those who do not have health insurance. The clinic will go as far as to set up payment plans so those affected can still get the care they need.

“Shadyside is going to be looking at some dark days ahead,” said Tiger Pub owner Matthew Coffland, noting the business has been serving employees of CVG since it opened. “There is always a group of guys in here in the morning for coffee and a group in here at night. We open early for that very reason. The closing is going to affect business, but it is also going to affect me personally, as I have family who works there who will be losing their job.”

With the community reeling over the announcement and pondering what it means, the Belmont County Port Authority already is working with the company and had several conversations with state officials regarding the pending closure.

“If that building does end up empty, we have every intention of having people or business end up in that building,” said authority Director Larry Merry. “We are already working to address the problem and hope to turn what looks like a load of lemons into lemonade.”

The announcement of CVG’s planned closing follows announcements by Murray Energy Corp. that coal mine layoffs may occur and that the Powhatan No. 6 mine will close. The news added to people’s fears about not being able to survive or provide for their families.

According to Coffland, whose father Matt Coffland is a Belmont County commissioner, the proposed PTT Global Chemical America ethane cracker plant that may come to the Dilles Bottom area would take four years to build. For that reason, he said he hopes PTT decides to come o the region sooner than later.

“The cracker plant needs to be a slam dunk,” said Coffland, noting the plant would bring many construction and permanent jobs to the area.

Ohio Sen. Lou Gentile, D-Steubenville, expressed concern about the entire local community in the wake of the news.

“My concern is for the workers, their families and the entire community upon learning of the unexpected announcement by CVG that the Mayflower Plant in Shadyside would close. Rep. (Jack) Cera and I have been in contact with the United Steelworkers, JobsOhio and local officials to offer our assistance. Our offices will remain committed to assisting workers and their families in any way we can.”

Cera, D-Bellaire, agreed.

“The sudden announcement that the Shadyside Mayflower plant is going to close is disappointing. My heart goes out to the workers and their families, and our top priority will continue to be for them and our communities. Sen. Gentile and I have worked with state and local officials and the union to offer our help and will make our offices available to any worker who needs us.”

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