Job losses rise around Arkansas

This third week of February 2009 brought a rash of plant closings and layoffs around Arkansas that will result in the loss of more than 600 jobs.

Conway
San Antonio-based SAS Shoe Manufacturing is closing its Conway plant, eliminating the 145 jobs there. The plant, active in Conway for about 26 years, will begin the closing process the week of April 27. Link here for more information from out content partner at Talk Business.

Huntsville
Butterball will cut 150 jobs at its Huntsville turkey processing plant beginning in early March. Butterball, which is owned by Smithfield, Va.-based Smithfield Foods, said federal ethanol subsidies and high feed and fuel costs were to blame for cutbacks at many of its poultry and pork processing plants nationwide.

The plant in Huntsville employed about 800 prior to the job cut announcement, making it the largest employer in Madison County.

Springdale
The Morning News in Springdale is reporting that the Chili’s Grill & Bar at 4101 W. Sunset Ave., in Springdale is closing after less than two years of operation. The restaurant, which was located in the parking lot of the Lowe’s store, employed 55.

Link here for the full report from The Morning News.

Stuttgart
Lennox, a manufacturer of air conditioning systems, is again reducing employment at its Stuttgart plant. The latest round cut 242 hourly jobs and 14 salaried positions, or about 24% of the total workforce at the plant. The company laid off 160 at the plant in late 2008. According to published reports, the plant employment now stands at 700 hourly workers and 125 salaried.