If Ford plant in St. Paul closes in 2011, what could take the place of it.

[pirate_lafitte]

I have heard alot about budget cuts. Now there is still one question. What to do when the plant closes? It could end up in any direction. A plan could be in place to get people working again, or there could be a situation not unlike that in some places where the auto industry has been laying off for ages. I hope the latter doesn't happen.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I have heard alot about budget cuts. Now there is still one question. What to do when the plant closes? It could end up in any direction. A plan could be in place to get people working again, or there could be a situation not unlike that in some places where the auto industry has been laying off for ages. I hope the latter doesn't happen.

St. Paul Ford plant has about 1000 jobs remaining, so it is not likely to be a devestating blow to the local economy. That is pretty much end of the line for auto industry in MN. The people working there are unfortunate that the plant will close, but there are some circumstatnces that could have ended up worse. For example, the plant is going to remain running for another 2 years, so these employees will have had 4+ years of so to figure out what to do next. Also Ford offered some fairly sweet buyout packages rumored to be worth $50,000 - $140,000 a couple years back. At that time there were around 1800 jobs, most of which were Union. Sounds like about 200 of the remaining workers ar union and may be getting a buyout, but many of the workers now are temporary.

If all that is true, many of the workers have already moved on, and those that chose to stay were aware of what the future holds. Hopefully the job market improves before the plant closes.

Both Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty were engaged with Ford to find ways to keep that plant open. Sounds like it is just not in the cards, but at least the close date was moved out. Hard to say if that has anything to do with politics or not.

The plant location is very desirable and it is a sizable parcel. That said industrial sites are hard to sell due to potential liabity for environmental cleanup costs. I don't see anything happening right way. Best hope for that land might be redevelopment, but there seems to be some opposition to that.

As far a plans go, I think a lot of effort is focused on getting the people that have already lost jobs working again verses something that is two years out. We are fortunate that we are not looking at job loss anything like what Migchigan is seeing.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

St. Paul Ford plant has about 1000 jobs remaining, so it is not likely to be a devestating blow to the local economy. That is pretty much end of the line for auto industry in MN. The people working there are unfortunate that the plant will close, but there are some circumstatnces that could have ended up worse. For example, the plant is going to remain running for another 2 years, so these employees will have had 4+ years of so to figure out what to do next. Also Ford offered some fairly sweet buyout packages rumored to be worth $50,000 - $140,000 a couple years back. At that time there were around 1800 jobs, most of which were Union. Sounds like about 200 of the remaining workers ar union and may be getting a buyout, but many of the workers now are temporary.

If all that is true, many of the workers have already moved on, and those that chose to stay were aware of what the future holds. Hopefully the job market improves before the plant closes.

Both Norm Coleman and Tim Pawlenty were engaged with Ford to find ways to keep that plant open. Sounds like it is just not in the cards, but at least the close date was moved out. Hard to say if that has anything to do with politics or not.

The plant location is very desirable and it is a sizable parcel. That said industrial sites are hard to sell due to potential liabity for environmental cleanup costs. I don't see anything happening right way. Best hope for that land might be redevelopment, but there seems to be some opposition to that.

As far a plans go, I think a lot of effort is focused on getting the people that have already lost jobs working again verses something that is two years out. We are fortunate that we are not looking at job loss anything like what Migchigan is seeing.

Minnesota isn't in Michigan's position. That is true. With that said, it would be nice to keep it that way.
There is talk of the "Green Revolution". Maybe Minnesota could benefit in some way with jobs.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Minnesota isn't in Michigan's position. That is true. With that said, it would be nice to keep it that way.
There is talk of the "Green Revolution". Maybe Minnesota could benefit in some way with jobs.

Green Collar Jobs- I really like this idea and it is starting to bear fruit.

Wind Mills are popping up in Northern and Western MN. I have seen some real creative ideas. Seems like a matter of making them practical and finding a way to get momentum moving.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

Green Collar Jobs- I really like this idea and it is starting to bear fruit.

Wind Mills are popping up in Northern and Western MN. I have seen some real creative ideas. Seems like a matter of making them practical and finding a way to get momentum moving.

Last time I was up in Duluth (and took the Vista cruise of the bay) I saw a whole pile of disassembled wind turbines. Not sure if they were coming or going, but they have to be built somewhere?

[Camden Northsider]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Last time I was up in Duluth (and took the Vista cruise of the bay) I saw a whole pile of disassembled wind turbines. Not sure if they were coming or going, but they have to be built somewhere?

Yes- Suzlon (Indian owned company) in Pipestone, MN is a large one (This article gives some information on Suzlon) - this website lists some more green-oriented manufacturers in the state.

[pirate_lafitte]

Originally Posted by Clifford63

Green Collar Jobs- I really like this idea and it is starting to bear fruit.

Wind Mills are popping up in Northern and Western MN. I have seen some real creative ideas. Seems like a matter of making them practical and finding a way to get momentum moving.

The green collar jobs is one thing that could bring in new jobs, and not just windmills. Maybe even solar energy could work.

[Clifford63]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Last time I was up in Duluth (and took the Vista cruise of the bay) I saw a whole pile of disassembled wind turbines. Not sure if they were coming or going, but they have to be built somewhere?

If you go west on 53 to the 169 turn to Ely, there are some windmills there. Not sure how many, but I think I counted 6 or so. Going up as soon as the now melts to open the cabin, so I will pay more attention.

Western MN off I-90 there is a bunch of them. Roughly beteen Blue Earth and Worthington. They strung new transmission lines about 2 years ago or so. Looks like this was done to move the power to Sioux Falls. Not 100% sure on that though.

[pirate_lafitte]

I just thought about this. I was on a forum about Michigan and heard about lithium battery plants coming to Michigan. I thought about St. Paul and the closing of the Ford factory. Even if there isn't another car factory, I was thinking that a battery plant could fill the gap as far as jobs lost is concerned. I heard the batteries were to be used in Hybrid cars. My big thing is that the green industry and new factories can help St. Paul (and other places all over). Any input?