Anxiety grows as Goodyear plans Fayetteville shutdown, 1,700 jobs at risk

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Uncertainty and anxiety are growing for families in Cumberland County after Goodyear announced plans to close its Fayetteville tire plant, a move expected to impact 1,700 workers by the end of next year.

Dee, the wife of a longtime Goodyear employee, said the announcement has taken an emotional toll on her family.

"To have to start over, it's hard, especially in this economy," she said. Dee asked that her first and last names not be used to protect her family's privacy.

Her husband, a 17-year employee at the plant, is among hundreds now facing an uncertain future. The facility -- the fifth-largest employer in Cumberland County - has been a cornerstone of the community for more than 50 years.

"From grandparents to uncles, it's kind of like a family tradition to work at Goodyear. I had a lot of family members there," Dee said.

Goodyear announced the closure Tuesday, citing financial challenges. The company reported a $249 million loss in the first quarter and said in a statement, "This difficult action is necessary to strengthen Goodyear's ability to compete in today's marketplace and support the long-term health of the business."

Local officials say the impact will be significant.

"This is a blow to our identity as a manufacturing base and as a local economy," said Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation.

Van Geons said agencies are working to help displaced workers, including expanding training opportunities through partnerships with community colleges and universities.

"The older generation of workers have the skills that are most highly in demand by employers," he said. "We are actually working with our community college, working with FSU to grow up the next generation of skilled talent, many of which we need to backfill those that are more senior."

Fayetteville Technical Community College President Mark Sorrells said the school is coordinating with local and regional partners to support workers through the transition.

"The announcement of the Goodyear plant closure is deeply felt across our community, especially by the workers and families whose lives are directly affected," Sorrells said in a statement. "FTCC is committed to standing beside every impacted employee during this challenging time."

Sorrells said the college is working with the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation, Cumberland County leaders, Mayor Mitch Colvin and the MidCarolina Workforce Board to create a coordinated response. The effort includes training programs and career pathways in fields such as advanced manufacturing, health care, construction, IT and public service.

According to NCWorks, there are about 4,000 job openings in Cumberland County, including hundreds in manufacturing, logistics, safety and technology.

For Dee and her family, the future is uncertain -- a mix of planning and worry.

"I know that with this transition, it affects the mental health as well," she said. "So we try to keep that at the forefront, but also try to plan strategically and hopefully it, as I put it, is in a position where we have to uproot our lives."

As the community prepares for the loss of a major employer, local leaders say more information about training programs and job opportunities will be shared in the coming months.