2 Ohio Companies Announce Mass Layoffs, Unemployment Claims Up

BOWLING GREEN, OH — Statewide unemployment claims climbed steadily through mid-January and two Ohio companies announced plant closings and mass layoffs this month at Buckeye State locations, according to recent filings.

Between Jan. 9 and Jan. 15, more than 60,000 Ohioans filed for continued unemployment benefits — up more than 3,000 claims from the week prior, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services reported. Ohio's unemployment rate, 4.8 percent, is higher than the national average, 4.2 percent.

First-time unemployment claims dipped slightly that week, but this month Curation Foods, DHL Supply Chain and Ross Casting & Innovation all filed paperwork warning of impending mass layoffs within their companies.

Curation Foods is closing its plant in Bowling Green and laying off 110 employees at the end of January, according to a letter sent to the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. Layoffs will take place over a two-week period starting Jan. 31. The impacted workers are not in a union, the letter said.

Finally, Ross Casting & Innovation is shuttering its casting division in Sidney and laying off 107 employees starting March 5. All layoffs will be permanent, according to the company's filing.

• Curation Foods in Bowling Green — 110 employees
• Ross Casting & Innovation in Sidney — 107 employees

Editors note: An earlier version of this article stated that DHL Supply Chain had filed a WARN Notice indicating layoffs. The company is not laying off employees, but is closing its West Jefferson facility.