[The Lone Bolt]

Update from LG Chem:

LG Chem Michigan provided a statement to the Business Journal today but would not answer any questions. The statement is in response to broadcast reports about the lack of production at the plant.

“Taxpayer money has not been wasted, because when the market demand justifies production, the facility will be utilized. More than 1,000 construction jobs were involved in building the facility, and 200 company jobs have been created, adding a solid boost to the local economy. LG Chem has the strongest motivation to operate the plant, because it has invested more than 50 percent, over $150 million, of the cost to construct the facility, so it will utilize the plant when the time is right,” according to the statement.

Almost 200 employees are working the “rolling furloughs,” which is 75 percent of their normal work schedule, and they are still reporting to the plant for their scheduled hours even though the plant is not in operation, according to the company.

The LG Chem statement said employees are still reporting to work at the plant, because “LG Chem feels a duty to take care of the people and to keep them on the team, so they can be ready for production. The company will not use (Department of Energy) grant money to pay for any idle time. It will review prior billings, and if any has been used, then that money will be refunded to the DOE.”

The employees are engaged in maintenance and cleaning of production equipment and the plant “and in process documentation efforts to ensure they supply an excellent product to their customer.” The high-tech clean room at the plant requires almost constant cleaning “to maintain proper conditions.”

http://www.grbj.com/articles/74668-p...-holland-plant