Ringgold will lose 67 jobs as Shaw Industries closes one of its local plants.

In an April 28 letter, Shaw Chief Counsel Frederick “Rick” L. Hooper III notified the city of Ringgold that its Plant 64 at 1081 Industrial Blvd. in Ringgold will close permanently.

“This plant closing will result in 67 employees being permanently laid off,” the letter said. “Affected employees will retain their employment for a 60-day period that commenced on April 28.”

Hooper said by telephone April 30 that the closure really involves one finishing department in the company even though its referred to as a plant. “We hope to place or offer continued employment to most if not all the people hopefully,” he said.

According to its Web site, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the Warren E. Buffett holding company owns Shaw. The company is a full-service flooring company with more than $5 billion in annual sales and approximately 30,000 employees.

Ringgold Vice Mayor Tom Clark said he is disappointed to hear of the closure.

“I hate it for the people themselves right now,” he said. “People have got to have their jobs. It is tough cause right now jobs are scarce.

“That is a lot of families,” he said. “That’s nearly 300 people that this could be affecting. Regardless of where they live that will put devastation on them. It seems like too many places are closing.”

Clark added he hopes the company will find places for the employees elsewhere in the operation.

Clark said the next question will be what the company plans to do with the facilities left behind.

“That could be another large building sitting empty,” he said.

The Catoosa County News has contacted Shaw Industries for any additional information it might provide and is awaiting a response.

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