During the most recent installment of KVOE’s Q&A With Trey Tuesday, City Manager Trey Cocking admitted his heart was “heavy” given the recent economic hit the city took with the announcement that right around 100 Michelin workers were soon to be laid off.
Cocking was the latest individual to weigh in on the current state of the local economy, which also had the news of Hopkins Manufacturing closing just over a month ago. Cocking reiterated a statement that has been made on many occassions over the past few months, noting the recent business closures and layoffs are not an Emporia-specific development, adding that manufacturing jobs across the country have taken a significant hit over the last year.
Cocking also says the issue may be easier to address if it were just an Emporia-specific problem.
Cocking’s comments came a day after KVOE News spoke with Interim Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas President Lyle Butler, who stated there are ongoing conversations to bring new businesses and employment opportunities to the community; however, specifics on that end cannot be announced at this time. Cocking echoed those statements, saying there are positives developing behind the negatives, but also, like Butler, he says it is not a fast-moving process.
Furthermore, Cocking says the Emporia community, which has long built its economic profile on manufacturing, may need to start looking at a different approach as the business and industry landscapes continue to shift.
KVOE News then asked if any of the ongoing conversations were beginning that “shift,” to which Cocking stated yes, but just like attracting new businesses to the community, Cocking says it “takes time” to do it right.
Cocking also felt it important to reiterate that, unlike the Hopkins Manufacturing and Tyson Foods situations, which included total closures of both businesses, Michelin is not leaving the Emporia community altogether; it is simply ceasing operations for the Agricultural Tract of the business. Additionally, Cocking, who, along with other local leaders, has been working closely with Michelin since the layoffs were announced last week, says the company is doing far more to provide coverage and care for affected employees even after their employment ends, likely starting in June.
Butler and Nadia Quereshi of Kansas WorkforceOne will join KVOE’s Newsmaker segment at 7:20 am Thursday to further discuss the Michelin situation and the potential resources available to displaced workers.
