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The same day a King George company holds a grand opening, it gets bad news--and has to lay off workers Date published: 11/14/2009
By CATHY DYSON The day a King George County concrete company held its grand opening--and gave economic-development officials across the region reason to celebrate--the company got bad news. Mid-Atlantic Precast learned that one project it was bidding went to a competitor, and a second one, a hotel for which Mid-Atlantic was ready to start production, was put on hold. "We were counting on those jobs to keep us going for the next two months," said President David Stone. "So I had to make the sad decision to cut the work force to save money until we get something in here to produce." Mid-Atlantic wouldn't give details on the number of people laid off or other reductions that went into effect. Office Manager Donna Cutshaw said several employees suggested cutting benefits to keep others employed longer. Mid-Atlantic produces hollow-core wall panels that are used in hotels, dormitories and apartment buildings. It started production in the spring and held its grand opening in the King George Industrial Park on Oct. 30. Mid-Atlantic was the only precast-concrete manufacturing plant to open on the East Coast this year. Stone said during the grand opening that he expected to double his workforce when the economy rebounds. This week, he said the company is finding fewer projects to bid and "slow payment from most of the contracts we have." He hoped the "hard business decision" to lay off workers would keep the company in business. "I figure that with saving as much money as we can now," Stone said, "it will postpone the complete closing of the plant in the next few months and position us well for the rebound." Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
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