For 30 years, the General Motors Plant has been a major part of the Ark-La-Tex landscape.
Thousands of trucks and hummers have rolled off the line. At one point, more than 3000 people were working at the plant. Dozens of suppliers opened up shop around the facility.
General Motors quickly became a significant economic driver in our community.
Today, the facility is not what it is used to be. Only about 800 people work there and current plans call for it to close this time next year.
That's what made the open house at the plant this week bittersweet.
On one hand, it allowed us a chance to walk through the plant and see firsthand how these trucks are made and meet some of the people working there. On the other hand, it's a sad occasion, like visiting a sick friend for the last time.
Efforts are still underway to get General Motors to change its mind and continue to reuse this great facility. Especially now that GM is doing so well. Unfortunately there is no indication the decision to close the Shreveport plant will be changed.
For many in our area, the General Motors plant provided a good living and something we could point to with pride. Not every town has a truck plant and the way it looks now, we won't either.
I'm James Smith.
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