STEVENS POINT, Wis. (AP) – A health care equipment manufacturer
plans to close its Stevens Point factory and lay off nearly 150
people.
     Joerns Healthcare says the layoffs will begin the first week in
June. The company is moving work to its other facilities as a
cost-saving move.
     State and local officials are miffed that Joerns is leaving
Stevens Point, saying financial incentives were offered to keep the
plant open in Stevens Point.
     Mayor Andrew Halverson tells the Stevens Point Journal
(http://spjour.nl/HBjQ7U ) that the incentives included $500,000 to
$1 million in tax increment finance incentives. Joerns CEO Mark
Ludwig says they’re trying to compete with other companies that
have outsourced work to China and significantly reduced costs.
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     Information from: Stevens Point Journal,
http://www.stevenspointjournal.com