CUMBERLAND, Md. — Blind Industries and Services of Maryland announced Tuesday that it will close its textile sewing and manufacturing plant in Cumberland Oct. 29.
The decision to close the plant, located at 322 Paca Street, will affect about 46 salaried and hourly employees, said Nikki Jackson, communications manager for Blind Industries, which is headquartered in Baltimore.
“The decision to close the Cumberland plant came after a careful and strategic review of the crippling reduction of textile contracts available from BISM’s federal government customers,” said Frederick J. Puente, president of BISM, in a new release. “This decision was not easily made, and in no way reflects the performance of our leadership and employees in Cumberland or BISM’s dedication to its mission.”
According to the release, employees from Cumberland will be given opportunities and assistance in applying for employment positions within BISM’s other textile manufacturing locations, and the company has made plans to extend certain benefits and will pay severance payments to its employees based upon work history and years of service.