GE Lighting announces intent to close Mattoon lamp plant

MATTOON, Ill. (AP) - General Electric Lighting has announced plans to close its lamp plant in the central Illinois city of Mattoon next year, unless its workers come up with an acceptable alternative for the facility.

GE's said Thursday that the plant is operating 60 percent below capacity due to a decline in consumer demand for traditional lighting and the phasing out of incandescent bulbs. The company said GE Lighting in the future will focus on LED technology.

Mattoon Mayor Tim Gover told the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier (http://bit.ly/2aPfymZ ) the plant has operated for more than 70 years and at one time employed more than 1,800 workers. It currently employs about 140.

GE said if plans to close the plant proceed, operations will be phased out by August 2017.

___

Information from: Mattoon Journal-Gazette, http://www.jg-tc.com