FORT SMITH — A statement from Rep. Steve Womack's office this afternoon appeared to confirm rumors of the closure of the Whirlpool plant in Fort Smith.
The statement was sent just after 2 p.m. by Womack's spokesman, J.R. Davis.
“I am disappointed with Whirlpool’s announcement, and my heart goes out to the employees and their families. Despite the news, I consider the Fort Smith region one of America’s most attractive areas for economic development," Womack said in the statement. "It is ideally situated with incredible infrastructure and a quality of life second to none in the country. With a qualified workforce and the supporting institutions, I am confident we’ll find another corporate partner who believes in Fort Smith and the enormous opportunities it offers.”
Whirlpool Corp. said earlier that it would hold a meeting with employees at its factory in Fort Smith.
The company confirmed the meeting was scheduled to be at 2:30 p.m.
A Whirlpool spokesman at its headquarters in Benton Harbor, Mich., said the company will issue a statement after the meeting.
The factory employed 4,600 in 2006 but has about 1,000 workers now. About 800 employees were laid off about a year ago. Part of the plant’s production was moved to a new factory in Mexico.