Think Michigan is a Key Battleground State? Think again.

[leeboy]

(Ann Arbor, Michigan)

The community in Tecumseh is reeling after Tecumseh Products Co. announced recently that it will eliminate hundreds of local jobs.

"It's been our major manufacturer for many, many years. We still refer to ourselves as the refrigeration capital of the world," said Mayor Harvey Schmidt of this Lenawee County community of 8,600.

Among the company's main products are industrial components like compressors, motors and small engines, including ones used in refrigerators.

"Anytime you lose one job, it has a ripple effect. We've always had a good relationship (with Tecumseh Products), and we (expect) to maintain good relations even though we go through hard times," he said.

The company has said that elimination of 340 jobs is part of its global restructuring strategy to curb production costs and deal with foreign competition.

Anyone who thinks Michigan is a battleground state is sadly mistaken.

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[dmcowen674]

More from the article:

For many Tecumseh residents like Nick Fazekas, the company is much more than the community's principal employer and taxpayer.

"It affects the community quite a bit, more than losing jobs," said Fazekas, 33, a Pepsi sales manager, as he was having a hamburger this week at Cowboys Grill with his wife, Darla.

The couple live in a subdivision originally developed by Tecumseh Products' founder, Ray Herrick, for his employees and families. Herrick Memorial Hospital honors the family that helped start it. Herrick Park Drive leads to Mill Pond and Standish Pond. Tecumseh Products has spanned four generations of the Herrick family.

"Tecumseh Products has been a big player for Tecumseh, helping out the community with jobs. Everything around here (is tied to) Tecumseh Products," said Nick Fazekas. "They took care of the community. They are pretty ingrained in the community."

That's why the company's partial closing will have not only economic but also emotional impact, said Darla Fazekas. "It's just going to make a lot of people mad."
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Cool, instead of a Welcome sign to the Towns of Mill and Standish Pond they can erect Tombstones :thumbsup: