Responding to a Plant Closure: The Case of Thomson Consumer Electronics and Bloomington,Indiana

Abstract

This case poses the challenge feeing a mayor when a major employer announces that it is closing its production facility in a community. Students can be asked to develop strategies the mayor can use to respond to this announcement and the problems it would create for plant workers and the community. The case study provides background on the firm, the facility, the economic and personal effects of the closing, and resources that might be available to address the problems created by the closing.