Sep 04, 2007 — Labor Day is a big day in Massena. Ever since Alcoa built an aluminum smelter near the St. Lawrence River in 1903, Massena has been a town of blue-collar work and unions. The annual Labor Day parade draws more than a dozen unions from across the North Country. Yesterday's parade was clouded by last spring's news that General Motors will close its plant in Massena, laying off almost 500 people. David Sommerstein sent this audio montage from the parade route.  Go to full article

Aug 10, 2007 — New York Senator Charles Schumer took advantage of his chamber's summer recess to visit the North Country yesterday. He toured the biomass renewable energy plant in Lewis County. And he discussed everything from Iraq and Alcoa to passports and the farm bill in Massena. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 15, 2007 — After weeks of negotiations, General Motors has agreed to spend more money helping Massena recover from the closure of the Powertrain plant. The deal was hammered out by Governor Eliot Spitzer and includes provisions to provide economic planning assistance and an engineering study to help find a new use for the factory. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

May 25, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer offered sympathy and hope to about 100 General Motors workers and their families in Massena yesterday. But he had few details about what the future would hold. Spitzer's visit to the United Auto Workers Local 465 union hall comes a little more than a week after General Motors announced it will shutter its Powertrain plant in Massena by the end of 2008. Almost 500 people will lose their jobs. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 17, 2007 — State lawmakers are making a last ditch effort to save the General Motors Powertrain plant. They'll huddle with union leaders in Massena tomorrow. But as David Sommerstein reports, the talks will focus on life after GM.

CORRECTION: Lieutenant Governor David Paterson is not visiting Massena today.  Go to full article

May 15, 2007 — Reaction to GM's announcement trickled in through the afternoon on Monday, as people in Massena tried to digest the news. Local officials and economic development leaders warned the community to brace for a difficult transition. North Country assemblyman Darry Aubertine, a Democrat, called GM's decision "irresponsible." Congressman John McHugh described the announcement as "a heartbreaking development for the workers and the entire community." McHugh accused GM of "rejecting input from government officials" and "showling little desire to work out a mutually beneficial solution." Karen St. Hilaire is executive director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. She says roughly one in twenty jobs in the county have been put at risk. St. Lawrence County's tax base will also take a huge hit.  Go to full article

May 15, 2007 — The sharpest pain from closure of the General Motors Powertrain plant will be felt in its home community, Massena, an industrial town on the St. Lawrence River. General Motors has been a fixture and a driving economic force there for five decades. Town Supervisor Gary Edwards said his community was reeling, but would recover. Edwards says the first step toward a come-back will be locking up the 15 megawatts of low-cost local hydropower now being used by GM. He told Jonathan Brown that keeping that cheap electricity in the North Country will be a struggle.  Go to full article

May 15, 2007 — Jonathan Brown spent Monday in Massena, talking with the people who will bear the brunt of this news. He spoke with Jim Heidi, a GM retiree, along with Darren Temper, an auto mechanic at Sears, and Cindy Hurlbaugh, who owns a flower shop in Massena, Rob Higgins, a school teacher, Joel Ogner, who works for the New York Power Authority, and Mike Viscovich, who works at a car dealership.  Go to full article

May 14, 2007 — General Motors today confirmed rumors that their drive train manufacturing plant in Massena will be mothballed at the end of 2008. The news represents a devastating blow to the regional economy. Brian Mann spoke mid-day on Monday with GM spokeswoman Sharon Basel.  Go to full article

May 14, 2007 — GM confirmed this morning that General Motors will shutter its Powertrain facility in Massena at the end of 2008. The move came despite efforts by lawmakers to delay the decision. A spokesman for Rep. John McHugh described the development as "disappointing." "This is not good news for the community," said spokesman Matt Lavoie. "The congressman will fight for the people, the town, and the workers in any way he can," he added. Martha Foley spoke with Brian Mann about the last-minute effort by lawmakers to save hundreds of jobs.  Go to full article