WYNNE, AR (abc24.com) –Part of the Mueller plant in Wynne, Arkansas caught fire last year. As Wynne's largest employer, the fire put the city on shaky ground.
Recently, it learned those jobs are gone for good, but there is a ray of hope.
“It's our largest employer, they pay good wages, give good benefits,” said Wynne Mayor Bob Stacy.
Now Mueller Copper Tube Products is pulling the plug on 100 jobs. “Dear Mayor Bob,” is how the bad news began.
“After careful consideration and extensive evaluation we will not rebuild the plastics fitting operation in Wynne,” Stacy said, reading the letter from Mueller.
That plastics fitting operation caught fire in September, leaving workers like J.R. McGee unemployed.
“Besides losing our house, having to move in with her parents, going downhill from there,” McGee said.
“People around here need jobs and [Mueller] not rebuilding, that's terrible,” Sandra Clements said.
“They gave no reason, so I couldn't speculate on why,” Stacy said.
Even so, Mueller's decision to take the insurance money and run doesn't mean it's the end game for Wynne's economy.
The city is getting a lifeline from the company next door.
“They were down to under 100 employees just as early as the spring of last year and now their work force is up to 250 plus,” Stacy said.
More than a hundred jobs in less than a year. The Addison Shoe Company's turnaround was fueled by demand for products made in America.
That demand is now spelling out hope for Wynne.
