Joint statement regarding the closure of Owens Corning Thermafiber

Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County has received confirmation from Owens Corning regarding its intentions to close its Thermafiber manufacturing facility located in Wabash. 

“It is always a difficult day when our community loses a large employer like Owens Corning Thermafiber,” Keith Gillenwater, president and CEO of Grow Wabash County, said. “We as a community have faced challenges like this before and have always responded with compassion and positive action. I firmly believe that this challenge will be met with the same level of commitment to resiliency and adaptability. Rest assured, Grow Wabash County, the City of Wabash and the entire Wabash County business community will rise to the call to support these displaced employees and connect them with necessary resources and information about new employment opportunities available to them in Wabash County.”

“The closure of the Owens Corning Thermafiber is disappointing to the Wabash community and the devoted employees of Thermafiber,” Mayor Scott Long said. “While this is a stressful time for the community, work is already underway by the City in partnership with Grow Wabash County and our local manufacturing industry to ensure these displaced employees and their families are provided resources and information they need to withstand the challenges this closure presents.”

In the coming weeks, Grow Wabash County and the City of Wabash will be engaging their government partners, educational providers and major employers in the local manufacturing industry to provide employees displaced by the plant closure with the resources and information they need to prepare and pivot for their next steps.

Grow Wabash County will be hosting a Community Response Resource & Employment event on Monday, May 15, from 5-8 p.m. at the Honeywell Center, 275 W. Market Street in Wabash. In conjunction with our partners at Northeast Indiana Works, the City of Wabash, as well as local employers, this open-house style event will discuss current and future employment opportunities within Wabash County.

Employers interested in participating in this community event are encouraged to connect with Grow Wabash County at marketing@growwabashcounty.com or reserve their booth space at www.growwabashcounty.com/communityresponse.