By: Chris Gilson, cgilson@cbs4qc.com
More than 200 hundred jobs were supposed to return to the Quad Cities this year, but they aren't. At least for now
Rock Island City leaders aren't giving up hope just yet.
More than 3 millions dollars were given to Seaford Clothing's new parent company, SKNL, earlier this spring to get the plant back up and running.
But, they can't do anything until the debts from Seaford's old parent company, Hartmax, are paid off.
Rock Island City leaders said it's a huge set back, but Economic Development Director Jeffery Eder said there's little the city can do right now.
"Once we got the announcement we reached back out to see if there was something we did wrong, but no there's nothing we could do they've assured us that and it's all within their corporate refinancing," Jeffery Eder said.
Phil Hare worked for Seaford for more than a dozen years. He said he's disappointed, but Hare doesn't think the manufacturing plan will stay empty for too much longer.
"The machinery is still there I believe that if they weren't serious about doing it they would've moved that machinery out of there," Phil Hare said.
Hare said pressure needs to be put on Seaford Clothing's old parent company, Hartmarx, to make it a reality.
"Harts needs to play by the rules like the Judge says and once they get through liquidating what they have to liquidate then the parent company that bought them can come in and get the 3.4 million," Hare said.
While Hare hasn't lost hope, city leaders said they're also going to work with Seaford's new parent company, SKNL, over the next year to see what can be done with the building or the company to bring jobs back to Rock Island.
"They've also told me if I have a use for it to present it to them and I will do that and I'll keep in touch with them. I'm not going to let it sit there for 18 months with no dialogue," Eder said.
City leaders said the plant may try to reopen next year, but it depends on SKNL's financial situation.
In the meantime, Eder said he'll look for other clothing manufacturers who may be interested in moving in there.
