Blossburg, PA Businesses Brace for Ward Manufacturing Closure
BLOSSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA (WENY) -- On January 28th, employees at Ward Manufacturing in Blossburg, PA, were notified that the foundry could close by the end of the year. This would impact roughly 340 employees and some businesses in the small community.
"It started out [where] they had no idea how to get food from over here because they are technically not allowed to leave the property. So, even though it’s right across the street, it is very difficult for them to receive food. [Then,] I started to let them know that I have no problem walking it across the street to you. If you are hungry and you need food, call me, I’ll feed ya," said the owner of Abbey's Bloss Diner, Abigail Foresman.
With a potential closure on the horizon, Foresman said she's trying her best to advertise her diner beyond the Blossburg community. She said if Ward Manufacturing closes, she knows how serious it would be for her and other local businesses.
"We want this place to thrive. We want this place to be booming not just for us, but this entire town because I feel like if the foundry dies, the whole town is going to slowly die down. We don’t want that, we want more people to come here," said Foresman.
Foresman said a good chunk of her customers are foundry employees, and losing them would hurt.
"They are like about 50% or less maybe. It’s not my entire customer people but I mean almost everybody in this town works there. Even if they don’t come over while they’re there, [on] Friday nights they come here for dinner. If they were to lose said job, some of them might have to move, and that means less clientele for me," said Foresman.
In a statement from an ASC Spokesperson on January 28th, they said:
'ASC has made the difficult decision to pursue the sale of our Blossburg foundry and facilities. In anticipation of a sale, we will transition production to our plant in Columbia, Pennsylvania gradually throughout 2025. We are committed to treating our team members fairly and respectfully throughout this process. We will be offering them relocation opportunities and comprehensive separation packages. This transition will allow us to better address the needs of our customers and continue making world-class products and growing our presence in Pennsylvania and in the United States.'
It's unclear at this time when exactly the Blossburg location would close. The company manufactures products like tubing systems and pipe fittings. It also owns a facility in Lawrenceville and that operation will not be closing.
RELATED: Major Manufacturing Facility in Blossburg, PA Could Close by End of 2025