Haley Penrod
Staff Writer
hpenrod1@murraystate.edu
Briggs and Stratton announced its plant in Murray will be closing next fall resulting in the loss of 600 jobs.
The company produces small engines and provided jobs for many members of the community for over two decades.
Danny Claiborne, chair of the Institute of Engineering, said Briggs and Stratton was a valuable asset to Murray State’s Institute of Engineering.
“They provide the Institute of Engineering’s annual financial support; they have for 20 years,” Claiborne said. “They have given us funding from their foundation out of Milwaukee.”
Claiborne also said the plant gives the institute products for research and labs. Briggs and Stratton provided its facility to the Institute of Engineering as an extended classroom.
“We have taken tours through, faculty through, administration through to show how our relationship works with our local industry,” Claiborne said.
Murray State has also helped Briggs and Stratton.
“They would bring their design work here,” Claiborne said. “We would 3D print the part, then they could do the product testing and that was done for many years.”
Claiborne also said the engineering staff was composed of graduated engineering students at Murray State.
In addition, Claiborne said Murray State had the only successful student afternoon production line. There were two shifts that were employed by students of all majors.
The shutdown of the plant will impact Murray’s economic development as many Murray State graduates and community members will lose their jobs.
“It helps drive the economic growth and economic engine in the community,” Claiborne said. “Our hope is that there is such a high demand for production workers, skilled trades and even engineering staff in this region. There is another company coming to Murray and they are going to need several employees. Frankly, the people that work with these companies are always concerned about having trained professional employees at the production level and the engineering and manufacturing level.”
President Bob Jackson said while the plant closure is unfortunate, the University and community must respond positively.
“We have a new plant coming to Murray that is under construction as well as the opening of the HempWood manufacturer,” Jackson said. “Our job is to build and bring more jobs to this community.”
Logan Brown, junior from Madisonville, Kentucky, said he was surprised that the company decided to close.
“In engineering, we always hear about all the companies around here that like to have Murray State’s engineering students come work for them, so I always assumed it was a little hub for companies like them to be able to function well,” Brown said.
Claiborne also said it may bring new business to the area since there will no longer be a competitor.
“Initially, I think it shocks people, but on a second phase I think a company may say we might have a building and professional staff and employees ready to go to work,” Claiborne said, “They will be excited with a relationship with a new company coming in. Ultimately, it might not be a negative for a new company because there would be opportunities to help the community, tax incentives, community incentives and staff and resources that will be available.”
However, Claiborne said he’s concerned about the short-term impact on families who will lose their jobs.
“These families are friends of ours,” Claiborne said. “We are concerned about them, as people, and that is probably the biggest concern this community ought to have is of the people of the community.”