NY gun-maker ditches blue state, moves to Georgia
A Historic Gun Factory Leaves New York, Leaving a Town Devastated
A long-standing gun factory in New York’s Mohawk Valley is bidding farewell to the Empire State and making its way to Georgia, marking the end of a more than 200-year-old tradition in the town of Ilion.
Remington, the oldest gun manufacturer in the nation, informed union officials last year that its current name, RemArms, would cease manufacturing in New York by March. The remaining operations in Ilion will be relocated to Georgia, a state that company leaders believe is highly supportive of the firearm industry. This move deals a heavy blow to the town, which has become deeply intertwined with the factory.
“Two hundred and eight years of history. Gone, gone,”
Ilion Mayor John P. Stephens expressed to the New York Times. “Ilion is Remington. Remington is Ilion.”
The closure of the factory will result in the loss of 300 jobs for the town’s approximately 7,600 residents. Mayor Stephens estimates that the village will suffer a $1 million revenue loss due to the relocation, in addition to the financial impact on local businesses in the area.
“It’s like the town is losing its soul,”
Mayor Stephens lamented to the Daily Mail. “It’s almost like losing a family member. That’s the thing that people are struggling with, the nostalgia, the history. It feels like we are losing the identity of the town.”
Renowned for its shotguns and rifles, Remington’s assembly line in Ilion produces hundreds of guns daily. With the closure scheduled for March, the New York Department of Labor has been providing retraining programs for employees seeking alternative employment opportunities.
Remington is not the first gun manufacturer to relocate from a blue state to the South. Last year, Smith & Wesson moved from Springfield, Massachusetts, where the company had been based since 1852, to Tennessee.
“We are deeply saddened by the closing of this historic facility,”
stated RemArms CEO Ken D’Arcy on Facebook. “But maintaining and operating those very old buildings is cost prohibitive. And New York State’s legislative environment remains a major concern for our industry.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), whose district includes Ilion, attributed the move to New York’s “radical anti-Second Amendment policies” shortly after the announcement.
However, Frank Brown, president of Local 717 of the United Workers of America, which represents the Ilion workers, stated that the relocation had little to do with New York’s gun laws.
“We have been manufacturing firearms for over 200 years and have never, ever had a problem selling firearms,”
Brown, who has worked on the factory’s furnaces for nearly 30 years, told the New York Times. “It’s all about money and greed.”
Brown shared that multiple generations of his family have worked at the factory, and now he and his wife will be left without jobs.
How will the closure of the Remington factory impact the local businesses that have relied on it for their livelihoods?
Usinesses that have relied on the factory for their livelihoods.
Remington’s departure from New York is a devastating blow to the town of Ilion, which has a long-standing history with the gun manufacturer. The company was founded in 1816 in Ilion and has operated there ever since. Over the years, Remington has become a vital part of the town’s identity and economy.
The loss of 300 jobs will have a significant impact on the community, as it represents a considerable portion of the local workforce. Many families in the town have relied on Remington for generations, and the closure of the factory will leave them facing an uncertain future. The economic ripple effect will be felt by local businesses that have provided goods and services to Remington employees. This sudden loss of revenue will likely lead to layoffs and closures, further exacerbating the economic downturn in the town.
In addition to the direct economic impact, the closure of the gun factory will also have a psychological toll on the community. The factory has been a source of pride for Ilion residents, and its departure will leave a void in the town’s identity. The rich history of Remington and Ilion is intertwined and celebrated, making this separation all the more painful.
The decision to relocate to Georgia reflects the company’s belief that the state offers a more favorable environment for the firearm industry. While economic and regulatory factors likely played a role, the move symbolizes a larger trend in the United States. In recent years, many firearm manufacturers have opted to relocate to states with more lenient gun laws and a greater emphasis on supporting the industry. Unfortunately, this trend has left behind communities like Ilion that have relied on these companies for their survival.
To mitigate the impact of this loss, local government officials and community leaders are exploring options to attract new businesses and investments to Ilion. Efforts are being made to diversify the local economy and provide alternative employment opportunities for affected residents. Additionally, there is a collective call for state and federal support to aid in the revitalization of the town.
The closure of the historic gun factory in Ilion is undeniably a devastating loss for the town and its residents. It marks the end of a more than two-century-old tradition and leaves a void in the community. However, it is essential to acknowledge the resilience and determination of the people of Ilion. The strength of the community will undoubtedly shine through as they adapt, rebuild, and write a new chapter in their history.
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