Conn. textile mill succumbs to pressures, closes

VERNON, Conn. (WTNH) — A 76-year-old textile mill that was revived by a new owner eight years ago has failed to survive a weak economy and overseas competition and is closing.

Amerbelle Textiles in Vernon will shut down by August, leaving 70 employees jobless.

Chief Financial Officer Jon Moyer says the company, which dyes, finishes and coats textiles used for space travel, canopies, flags, shoes and a range of other items, could not compete when the industry went overseas.

Amerbelle was one of the last to hold on, propelled by people like Adelle Scully.

"Everyday, I look forward to coming to work," Scully said.

What can get lost in the noise and the machinery and the rolls of fabric is that when you talk to employees they say this is like family, they were working with family, a family they're now losing.

"I'm the plant manager now here, and I, every holiday, everytime we're leaving for the weekend, I go around and say goodbye to everybody," Scully said. "There's people here, 30 plus years. This is their life. And they don't know what to do with themselves now."

Textile jobs are now something to be filed away in a closet, like an old payroll calculator or cardboard advertisement. The promise of a new job is daunting and uncertain.

"We are losing too many jobs, we just can't...and we can't get it back," Scully said.

However, what will remain, even when the mill becomes a shell, is pride in a job well done that is no illusion.

"It's setting in," Scully said. "We gotta take what we have, and do the best we can with what we've got."

For those currently on the job hunt, the state's Department of Labor offers information for " Where to Turn in Connecticut When You Become Unemployed ."

They also have numerous links for job seekers , which provide information on job fairs , career centers , and more.

Additionally, AARP provides job search resources specifically for older workers.