RepublicanHerald reports from Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, that modular home manufacturer Manorwood Homes, Inc., is shutting its doors permanently following the devastating floods in early September from Tropical Storm Irene. A modular home builder for 16 years here in east central PA, 100 people lost their jobs. Manorwood manager Wayne Morris says, “”In 2006, we had about 2 feet of water in the factory. This one, we had anywhere from 4 feet up to 8 feet, so it’s a total loss.” Noting 80 Dumpsters had been filled and removed, he estimates the company lost $5 million in damages to the equipment and the inventory. Another producer, Pine Grove Manufactured Homes, Inc., also closed its doors permanently because of the flooding, but those workers were offered work at a sister plant. Manorwood employees met with state Department of Labor officials in attempting to find other work.
