Cooper Tire Plant closing in Albany

More than 2-thousand full and part time workers in Albany are losing their jobs at the Cooper Tire plant.
The news came in a phone call. Cooper Tire CEO Roy Armes called Governor Sonny Perdue, then notified Albany officials. The plant was selected from four U.S. based Cooper plants to shut down.
The decision came following a two month study that looked at each facility. During that time residents hung 1-thousand blue and white bows to show their appreciation for one of the areas largest employers. Barbara Holmes is with the Albany-Dougherty County Economic Development Commission.

"The most important thing is not just that we're losing these jobs, but these are families that will be affected."

Holmes says the economic impact to southwest Georgia is around 500-million dollars. Cooper blames the closure on higher costs and shrinking demand in the automobile business.