Maury County Launches Economic Development Push as GM Idles Plant

Maury County is facing a spike in unemployment numbers as GM idles most of its operation in Spring Hill this week.

Production of the Chevy Traverse is going to Michigan. That leaves roughly 800 workers building engines in Spring Hill. Two-thousand employees will be laid off.

At a press conference Monday, Maury County mayor Jim Bailey said he plans to continue supporting the remaining jobs and also look beyond GM to a broader future.

However, State Rep. Ty Cobb says the ripple effect of the plant idling will quickly impact small businesses.

“That’s really going to affect the unemployment rate. I expect after the plant shuts down and production stop, I expect this to be the highest unemployment rate in Tennessee.

Most workers have had to choose whether to try following GM to Michigan or start the job hunt here.