APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Financial experts say the possible closing of a Kimberly-Clark facility in the Fox Valley would impact more than just the workers.
The future of the Cold Springs plant is in the hands of the State Senators next month, and while it would leave about 500 hundred people without a job, the impact would be noticed in throughout the Fox Valley.
“You’re taking $105 million dollars out of your local economy. Everyone is going to be impacted.”
Peter Thillman, Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development with the Fox Cities Chamber says it is a trickle-down effect.
“There are hundreds of companies within the supply chain, and they account for about $58 million dollars in annual sales for the company. Charitable contributions would be impacted, reduced purchasing power because people do not have that much money in their pocket anymore.”
Thillman says employees will be able to find work, but it won’t be at the same income level.
“These are the top jobs in our local economy. They can find work, but it is not going to be the same income level and that is what we fail to forget. These are high-end jobs. It took 147 years to build and we want to keep those jobs here for the next 100 years to come.”
Executives in the Fox Valley were able to urge Kimberly-Clark to extend their deadline. Governor Walker announced this week that an extraordinary session would be held after the election for the Senate to vote.
