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Task Force Formed to Save 3,000 Jobs at Stake at Sealy Plant
Posted: 10/28/2009
Task Force Formed to Save 3,000 Jobs at Stake at Sealy Plant
Plant Contributes $500 million Annually to the Texas Economy
For Immediate Release:
Sealy and Katy, TX, October 26, 2009— The City of Sealy and the Katy Area Economic Development Council announced today the formation of a task force to address the potential closure of the BAE Systems plant in Sealy. The plant currently employs 3,000 people from Austin, Harris and surrounding counties and manufactures medium tactical vehicles for the US Army. A key economic driver in the region, the plant and its employees contribute an estimated $500 million to the state’s economy each year through employee salaries, contractor costs and vendor partnerships.
BAE Systems, which has been manufacturing the U.S. Army’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) for over 17 years in its Sealy plant, recently learned that a follow on contract was awarded to OshKosh Corp. in Wisconsin. BAE Systems is currently appealing the US Army’s decision citing a flawed bidding process.
“The purpose of this task force is to show support and appreciation for the local men and women who work in the plant as well as to educate and mobilize the community in a grassroots effort to keep these 3,000 jobs in Sealy and the surrounding areas,” said Nick Tirey, Mayor of Sealy.
“While the implications of losing this contract are substantial,” said Lance LaCour, president and CEO of the Katy Area EDC, “there is so much we as a community can do to impact the final chapter of this story. From sending letters and meeting with politicians and government officials to generating awareness among the media and general public, this task force will draw on all possible resources to show that Texas is the right place to continue to manufacture these life saving tactical vehicles.”
According to LaCour, approximately 1,000 of the 3,200 jobs are held by residents of Katy. The task force is currently comprised of representatives from the City of Sealy, Sealy EDC, the Katy Area EDC, CenterPoint Energy, the Greater Houston Partnership, US Representative Michael McCaul, and Texas State Rep. Lois W. Kolkhorst, Austin County.
“Sealy has always had a strong manufacturing base,” added Kim Meloneck, executive director of the Sealy Economic Development Corp. “Sealy clearly has the most experienced workforce, and most advanced facilities and infrastructure to support the production of these highly specialized vehicles needed to protect the lives and work of our nation’s Army.”
Chris Coffman, the city manager of Sealy, will be holding a workshop on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 6 pm at Sealy’s City Hall to mobilize volunteers. The task force plans to meet every two weeks starting October 30, 2009. For more information regarding the workshop at Sealy City Hall please contact Chris Coffman at (979) 885-3511.
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About the Katy Area EDC
Founded in 2003, the Katy Area EDC’s mission is to establish the Katy area as the premier location for families and businesses through planned economic growth and development. Since its inception, the Katy Area EDC has grown to over 130 members and assisted in the creation of over 10,000 jobs and $1.5 billion in capital investment.
Media Contacts:
Lance LaCour, Katy EDC, lancelacour@katyedc.org, (281) 396-2200