Otsego, MN - Today, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) issued the following statement regarding the closure of Electrolux’s freezer manufacturing operation in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
"Today is a sad day in St. Cloud as the doors on a distinguished fixture of our community close for the last time,” said Emmer. “I want to thank all of the hardworking Electrolux employees for their decades of work and dedication, as well as all of our local economic development and union representatives who have provided resources and training to those in transition. My office remains committed to assisting all of the families impacted by this closure and we remain ready to help any and all Electrolux employees find a new start in Minnesota’s dynamic job market."
Background:
On January 30, 2018, Electrolux Major Appliances North America announced its intent to close its production facility in the St. Cloud area by the end of 2019. The company, which employs 900 Minnesotans, responded to a February 1, 2018 letter led by Congressman Emmer that the closure was a “necessary decision” but was announced “in advance to allow transition time for employees.”
In February 2018, Congressman Emmer participated in a round table with Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith, Mayor Dave Kleis, and other St. Cloud community leaders to discuss resource and training options available to assist the transitioning workforce. As part of these efforts, Congressman Emmer recently sent a letter in support of grant funding for the St. Cloud Technical and Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Training Lab which would provide transitional training for former Electrolux employees.
If you or someone you know is an Electrolux employee impacted by the closure and is in need of workforce training or career development resources, please contact the staff in my Otsego Office at (763) 241-6848. You may also find it helpful to visit the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce’s website for additional information here, or the Career Force website here. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s has information regarding a dislocated worker program on their website here.
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