Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover received word this afternoon that the local BeairdCo plant is closing, which will mean the loss of an undetermined number of jobs. Initial reports indicate as many as 100 to 270 jobs will be affected.

Mayor Glover and his administrative staff have been aware for some time that Beaird was in financial trouble and have worked diligently with the State and Beaird in support of their efforts, to obtain working capital and possible State assistance, as well as to support Beaird’s efforts to negotiate contracts to build additional wind turbines at the Shreveport plant.

One of the principals in BeairdCo, Gerald Landry, is currently working with a local investor to purchase and recapitalize the company, in hopes of keeping the plant open.

“We are aware of other parties who are interested in the facility, however our immediate and most urgent concern is for the employees whose lives are being affected by this closure,” says Mayor Glover. “We will entertain any and all offers for ventures to come into the former BeairdCo facility and provide even more jobs for our people.”

The City of Shreveport owns the land and building at the plant site of BeairdCo.