Agreement over Parsons ammunition plant will save 100+ jobs - KOAM TV 7

Agreement over Parsons ammunition plant will save 100+ jobs

Updated March 11, 2013:  An agreement will save jobs at a former southeast Kansas army ammunition plant.

After seven and a half years of negotiations the U.S. Army has reached an agreement with Day and Zimmerman for D and Z to continue operations at the former plant.  As part of the agreement Day and Zimmerman will acquire just over 4,100 acres of the property.

The U.S. Army had planned on vacating the land near Parsons, Kansas due to budget cuts.

Officials have not disclosed financial terms of the agreement.

Posted January 18, 2013:  Employees at the Day & Zimmerman Ammunition Plant near Parsons, Kansas says they are at risk of closing down, which could leave 150 locals without jobs.

Tonya Hudson works two jobs, one as a care giver, and the other as an explosions operator at the ammunition plant.

But after a staff meeting Thursday morning she heard word that her job at Day & Zimmermann is now at risk.

"They just explained to us that the Army is basically tired of negotiating with Day & Zimmermann and that they want us to pack up and get out," says Hudson.

According to Hudson a letter from the U.S. Army, who owns the land Day & Zimmermann is on, was read at aTthursday meeting and told Day & Zimmermann employees that they had 180 days to get everything they own off of the property.

This comes after seven and a half years of negotiation with the Army over land for the plant.

"They said that we should contact our senators, our government, our governors, write letters," says Hudson.

Kansas 7th District state representative Richard Proehl says that is happening.

"I've gotten a lot of phone calls, especially from constituents who work out there," says Proehl.

Proehl says that most are worried about the potential job losses, not just for Day & Zimmermann employees, but for the local economy as well.

"Any time you lose jobs, then they aren't shopping for groceries, they aren't buying as much fuel, they aren't going out to eat, so everything... it just snowballs, and everything kind of goes downhill," says Proehl.

But Proehl says not to lose hope and that representatives on the national level are in office to try and help.  He says he is telling constituents to do as he does and contact Kansas U.S. Senators Roberts and Moran's offices and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins to see what can be done.

We made calls to Day & Zimmerman today for comment on the issue but have not yet heard a response.