Community Leaders Gather to Address Economic Impact of Quad/Graphics Closing

ST. CLOUD -- Two-hundred-eighty Quad/Graphics workers will lose their job later this month when the Sauk Rapids printing company closes its doors.

Community leaders gathered Friday to look at the economic impacts and to update one another on what's being done to address the lost jobs.

University of Minnesota Extension Senior Impact Analyst Brigid Tuck looked at the numbers. She says a worst-case scenario would mean the 280 lost jobs would translate to nearly $17,000,000 in lost labor income.  As a whole, the fallout could have a ripple effect totaling $73,000,000 decline in total output in the St. Cloud economy, including an additional 195 indirect or induced jobs.

But the good news is, the Stearns-Benton Employment and Training Council has already begun working with the workers before the layoffs. Executive Director Kathy Zavala says it's allowing them to get out front of the layoffs and get people the necessary training so they can find new work.

Quad/Graphics announced in May they are closing the former Quebecor plant by the end of August resulting in 280 layoffs.