OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- Opelika officials are searching for a response to Michelin North America's decision to close its BFGoodrich tire plant in October, idling some 1,000 workers.
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller says he's working on plan to secure jobs for those tire workers. He says about 66 percent of them live in Lee County.
He says he will meet with United Steel Workers Local 753 President William Hart on Wednesday to discuss the workers' skills.
There are other impacts on the city. The mayor says BFGoodrich last year also paid more than $850,000 in city occupational license fees.
The 1 million-square-foot plant, which has made tires since 1963, will shut down by Oct. 31.
Announcing the closing last week, Michelin's chief operations officer, Scott Clark, blamed the decision on decreasing demand for replacement tires.
