My husband worked for Hynix (formerly Hyundai) for four years. They just closed down. The reason they opened in the US in the first place about 15 yrs ago (we have just learned) is because EU and Asia imposed tariffs on the manufacturing of computer chips. It made the profit margins go waaaaay down. So they came here and opened up a plant. They received subsidies and tax credits from the city, county, state, and feds.
They were supposed to add about 1200 jobs for locals but in reality one third of their work force was from Korea.
They did not want to clean up their pollution or pay fines so the state changed the law for them. They wanted people to work 12 hr shifts but did not want to pay OT so the state changed the rules and made a new rule so they could work people 12 hrs a day without OT.
They had a rule that you HAVE to come to work. My husband missed two days in one year due to being sick. They were even two different times one day each and he was reprimanded.
So now the tariffs in EU and Asia and have been removed so they are going back to Korea.

And the mess they leave behind is that regular homeowners will have to take up the slack in property tax and pay more for electricity Hynix used to use and pay for.

The local people are mad there are about 800 people without work.
We are not worried we have the severance and I work and the unemployment (sadly) pays almost exactly what he was earning working (if that is not sad I don't know what is).
We are going to wait until the panic passes then he is going to do heavy equipment/truck driving school or something.

Just wanted to vent about this. How many other communities make allowances for big corporations that never really pan out? The same thing happened here a few years ago with Sony.

Eugene Weekly : Coverstory : 7.31.08

Hynix

Hynix says it's because "of market conditions" that the market for 12 inch wafers is no more. But last time this happened they redid the factory to make a new product. Now they won't admit about the tariffs but it's a fact and either the reason they left or a very big coincidence.

__________________
The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Anna, that sucks! I'm glad you're going to be ok though. On the other hand, I can't believe the state did that - they should be ashamed of themselves for bowing down like that.

__________________
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

That sucks. I am sorry he lost his job.

__________________
Calling a illegal alien an "undocumented immigrant" is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist."

Virginia did that several years ago when Motorola promised to bring a ton of jobs to Goochland County, just outside Richmond.

Governor Allen Hails Start of Motorola Construction

Motorola never showed up.

I'm glad you all have plans to make sure you land on your feet.

__________________

Reading is Fundamental.

Anna, I am so sorry. As a fellow Oregonian I'm ashamed of our state government for allowing our state to be taken advantage of to the extent Hynix apparently did. Bringing Koreans over to work at the plant and getting around paying overtime -- outrageous!! To say nothing of the huge environmental mess they're leaving behind for us to clean up.

I'm glad you and your husband will be okay in the short term and have such a positive attitude about the future.

__________________
Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

I'm also sorry and I pray that things will get better for all of us.

__________________
Laura
Please visit my blog
http://mylifeinlaurasworld.blogspot.com/

That is horrible.I know here in CO the mayor and governor are trying to provide incentives for big businesses to move here and I wouldn't doubt if they were to include what you were talking about Shameful...

__________________
Proud to say I haven't shopped at a Wal-Mart since Sept 2003

I'm sorry to learn about your husband's job loss. This economy is really bad right now. Seems like a lot of corporations seem to be packing up & going elsewhere. GM closed down here a couple of years ago, and that really effected part of the the state. Other companies have moved out, leaving empty buildings/properties and a new wave of joblessness. Hopefully the unemployment funds will hold your family over until your husband can secure a new position.

__________________
We're off to never never land

I hate that Anna. Times are already so difficult. You seem to have a cool outlook though, so keep your chin up. You are definantly not alone. Thank goodness you know all the money saving secrets, I think we are at least better off having that knowledge.

__________________
*** Find A Need , Fill A Need ***

Sorry you have to go through this, but I expect to see even more of this in the future, sad to say...

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

Yes,i understand,we know for a fact thursday 30 percent of our work force and mangement is going to be laid off.So people all ready start cleaning out there desk and lockers.

I am very sorry about your dh's job loss. Same thing happened in Norfolk, when the Ford plant closed a few years ago.

__________________
Live, Love, Laugh

I am so sorry this happened to your family.

That really stinks, Anna. I'm sorry to hear the bad news. I'm glad it hasn't really hurt you all too much financially. I'm sure most of the others that lost their jobs probably aren't doing as well. I hope your DH doesn't have much trouble finding new employment and you guys bounce back quickly.

.

__________________
No outfit is complete without cat hairs!

~~~MsMiser

Anna,
So sorry to see this. This just totally stinks !...
I'm glad you have something placed back for the "rainy days".
I hate to say this, But I read on MSN not too long ago or was it MSN ? any hoot, Over the road truckers where really having a hard time making any money because they had to foot their fuel cost. Make sure if this is what you DH wants to do, He gets with a company that will give allowances or pays for the fuel.

Hang in there things Will start to look up.

I have a question about TIF districts and what happens when concessions are made to big (or even moderate) businesses.

We have a chemical plant that is moving into our tiny village on a Superfund Site, and they are making a TIF district for this property, which will freeze tax assessments for 23 years. He will still pay tax, just only on the undeveloped property value as it sits now.

Can anyone really know whether a corporation is going to stick around, or what, if any, environmental hazards may be left behind? I mean, in a blighted area, what really are the options? Let the business come and hopefully create jobs and bring in tax monies....or just let a property sit and let another town woo the company with better incentives?

This all seems so complicated. I would hate to have to be the one making these decisions!

On aother note, Anna, I am so sorry to hear about your dh's work loss. I LOVE your attitude, however! You always seem to be thinking positive!
The only time I seem to be "thinking up" is when I have to go to the bathroom REALLY bad.. LOL