The sign outside the tire plant in southeast Opelika reads BFGoodrich. Well, the sign can say that, the plant-ownership papers can say that and the pay stubs of the plant employees can say that too. But to me, it has — and always will be — Uniroyal.
The street that runs adjacent to the plant still says South Uniroyal Road. The name South BFGoodrich Road wouldn’t have sounded right anyway.
I suspect it will remain South Uniroyal Road years from now.
The announcement made last Monday by the big dogs at Michelin North America — mothership of the Uniroyal, oops … I mean, BFGoodrich plant — that operation will cease Oct. 31 sent shockwaves through the community. The way the economy is these days, folks everywhere seem to be cutting back.
Corporations are no different.
Uniroyal, I mean BFGoodrich, has been a major player in Opelika’s economy, a leader in giving to local charitable organizations through the years, a community fixture and a geographic landmark.
For folks my age, it’s hard to imagine this area without a tire manufacturing plant.
What we have is an estimated 1,000 people without a job come November.
The good news is they have half a year to find employment elsewhere.
But that good news ends right there.
One cannot guarantee they will find similar happiness – or income – in their next line of work.
Before we jump on the “plenty of industry will follow Kia into the area” mantra, there are now a thousand skilled workers competing for jobs that otherwise could have gone to other skilled workers in the area looking to either change jobs or find work period.
Whether new employment opportunities are coming to East Alabama or not, there will be 1,000 less jobs in East Alabama in November.
I can’t help but wonder what will become of the Uniroyal plant. The structure may be old, but I don’t think it’s about to crumble anytime soon. Although remodeling never hurts.
It’s resting on a fair chunk of real estate, and a prime one at that.
But from a monetary standpoint, it’s cheaper for a company to let an old plant rot away.
We’ve seen our fair share of former plants remain empty and become part of an industrial graveyard. I’d hate to see another one turn into an eyesore, particularly one with the historical value this one carries.
Whatever happens to the plant, it will forever be Uniroyal to me.
Joe McAdory is editorial page editor for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2549 or jmcadory@oanow.com
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