Mine Layoff Anniversary

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By Nick Lough

Story Published: Nov 17, 2009 at 7:29 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 10:29 AM MST

BILLINGS - Tuesday marks the one year anniversary of major layoffs at Stillwater Mining Company.

On November 17, 2008, The residents of Absarokee and the rest of Stillwater County dealt with a major financial blow and a looming economic uncertainty when the regions biggest employer, Stillwater Mining Company, laid off hundreds workers.

The patrons at Absarokee's popular Rosebud Cafe say houses are vacant, families have left, but they know this is not the first time the community's gone through tough times. "That mine has opened and shut down several times in my lifetime," said one patron.

However, the mine appears to be on the upswing, turning a profit the last few quarters, even as General Motors backed out of its palladium contract years before it was set to expire. The fact the company is staying above the red is music to Stillwater County Commissioner Dennis Hoyem's ears.

"There was an era of doom and gloom for a lot of folks," said Hoyem.

Stillwater Mining Company is the single largest taxpayer in the county. "If for some reason that revenue source evaporated we would be in a world of hurt," said Hoyem. The hurt remains on these faces however, as they look for an economic recovery that could revive the job market.

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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Nov 18 at 1:13 PM

It also affected Sweet Grass County.

Anonymous said on Wednesday, Nov 18 at 1:12 PM

Why didn't you mention the East Aboulder site in Big Timber? We are part of Stillwater Also!

Layoff miners wife said on Wednesday, Nov 18 at 7:54 AM

My husband worked there for 5yrs, and then a year ago it changed our lives. He had 3 months of unemployment to survive off of. He looked hard for work, nothing that came close to the money that he was making there. He did find a job 3 months to the date fo being laid off. I will say it was a big shock. It is surprising to see that SWM is doing as good as it is right now. But am I bitter? NO. I'm glad that the ones still there have jobs and that my husband has a new one also.

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