Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge says local leaders are working together following the abrupt shutdown of Champion Laboratories.
Speaking at Monday afternoon’s City Council meeting, Judge said he has been involved in discussions over the past week regarding the closing of the company’s Albion location.
The mayor said he attended a meeting last Friday along with Albion Mayor Wes Harris and Grayville Mayor Travis Thompson. The three communities have formed a task force and plan to meet again later this week to explore what local incentives or benefits could be offered to a potential new buyer for the facility.
Judge says the goal is to determine what steps can be taken locally to help resolve the situation and potentially bring new ownership or new opportunity to the site.
He also noted that First Brands, the parent company, announced Friday it is closing Jasper Rubber in Jasper, Indiana. That facility produced components used at Champion Labs, including check valves, O-rings, and grommets.
Judge asked the community to keep affected employees and their families in their thoughts and prayers as workers in multiple communities deal with job losses.
He says more information will be shared as the task force continues its work.