(Spencer)– A major blow for the city of Spencer and Iowa Lakes Corridor. R R Donnelley has announced it’s closing its printing plant in Spencer, leaving 160 people without a job.
Company spokesman R. Scott Bigelow told city leaders about the plans Tuesday, saying it was the “only option” to stay a leader in the commercial printing industry.
R R Donnelley, which is based in Chicago, plans to have the Spencer plant closed by March 13th.
In a letter to city leaders in Spencer, Bigelow says the decision is based on the economic downturn.
The move comes two years after the company bought the plant from Perry Judd’s Holding Inc. of Wisconsin.
Kathy Evert of the Iowa Lakes Corridor of Opportunity tells KUOO news the announcement came as a complete surprise. She added she hasn’t been able to talk to company officials yet about the announcement.
Evert says Iowa Workforce Development is aware of the situation and will be dispatching a team to Spencer to assist the affected workers in helping them look at options for re-training and/or new employment.
