Rep. Jim Hagedorn. Photo: US House of Representatives
(KWNO)-U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn and state Rep. Greg Davids are continuing efforts to keep an estimated 80 jobs at the Miken Sports plant in Caledonia.
Earlier this year, Major League Baseball, which owns Miken’s parent company Rawlings, announced it was planning to outsource its helmet manufacturing operation to China. MLB’s helmets are made at the Caledonia plant.
Local, state and federal elected officials earlier started efforts in the summer to keep the jobs here in Caledonia. Hagedorn said he and Davids sent a letter that asks the commissioner to visit the Caledonia plant.
“See how tough this would be in a community of about 2,500 or so people and what it would mean to it,” Hagedorn said.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and state Sen. Jeremy Miller have joined Hagedorn and Davids in releasing statements denouncing the proposed move. Caledonia leaders say the 80 jobs are scheduled to be moved by 2023.
“We’re doing everything we can to get it in front of them and to try to impress upon them that it’s just not worth it to send these jobs to communist China,” said Hagedorn.
Miken Sports, Rawlings, and Major League Baseball have not publicly commented on the matter.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
