Arc Industries of Evansville to close plant

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – The Arc of Evansville is planning to close its Plant 1 facility. In a notice to the state, Arc Industries, which offers employment and vocational training to individuals with disabilities, says recent cuts to state-funded programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic will result in the closure and layoffs of 35 employees.

Arc says the permanent layoffs will begin Aug. 14 and continue through September.

The organization says the Indiana State Budget Agency’s decision to eliminate the state-funded Community-Based Sheltered Work and Facility-Based Sheltered Work programs will make it impossible to operate as it previously did.

Due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus, Arc says the Indiana State Budget Agency was asked to implement a 15% budget reduction, resulting in the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services’ decision to cut the programs.