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MANCELONA - There's not much good to be found in the news that DURA Automotive made a preliminary recommendation to close its Antrim County facility last week.

The possible closure would result in the loss of jobs for more than 200 people in the area, and officials say that isn't the only thing it will affect. "I think the real effect of the DURA situation is going to be from the trickle down to employees and families trying to find jobs locally or moving out of town," said Village President Robert Wilcox.

DURA Automotive, with branches all over the country declared bankruptcy in September 2006 and have been operating business as Chapter 11 debtors-in-possession since. Last April DURA announced it was selling the Mancelona facility plan as part of its 50-cubed restructuring plan.

But, DURA stopped actively trying to sell the facility in November 2007 according to DURA spokesperson Shawn Brumbaugh and last week sent a letter to the United Auto Workers representative recommending closure.

DURA officials say the suggestion is preliminary, but none of it is good news to Mancelona, who know a loss like this hurts more than just the employees at DURA.

"It could affect our single business owners. It eventually will trickle to our school systems. Ever since I've been around the DURA plant has to me been the backbone of Mancelona," Wilcox said.

Local business owners are concerned about the repercussions of such damage too.

"Mancelona nor Michigan can afford any business closing, with it being DURA or the Pizza Shoppe," said Bernie Blackmore, county commissioner and owner of the downtown business. "It will definitely impact everybody. I'm not just talking me - the school, the town, the county and the state."

According to Blackmore, officials at the state level are aware of the potential closure and have contacted local people concerning the issue.

And business owners have already felt the economic crunch at DURA as various positions and employees have been cut over the last year or so.

"I used to have up to 30 engineers that ate here every day and now I'm down to half a dozen," Blackmore said.

Wilcox said the possibility of DURA moving out of town has been talked about for quite awhile now.

"We knew it would be a tough road all along. We have entertained this almost every day in our office," Wilcox said. "We have tried to prepare for the worst."

Indeed, discussions at Village Council meetings for months have been about budgetary issues that rode on the fate of the DURA facility.

But Wilcox said the village will do everything they have to do continue to provide the best services possible to Mancelona.

"The village will survive," he said. "The reason I say that is the council will make the necessary cuts to make up for that property tax and personal property tax that we won't be receiving."

And, at least at his point, there's still a little hope to hold on to.

"Our ultimate goal is it will be worked out and (DURA) will stay," Wilcox added. "I'm hoping there's still that open avenue."

Hadley Robinson can be reached at hrobinson@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-533-8523.