Area Development
One of Beatrice, Nebraska's largest employers is closing its doors. Swedish company Husqvarna AB, a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, will close its Beatrice lawn mower facility to relocate to Orangeburg, South Carolina by the end of this year. Approximately 390 jobs will be eliminated at the Nebraska plant.

The South Carolina plant is significantly larger than Nebraska's, and can more efficiently assemble its products. The South Carolina location has 1,500 employees.

The company will save approximately $14 million by closing the plant, and generate more than $5 million in annual savings by 2011.

The Gage County Economic Development Director Terri Dageforde called the closing "devastating" to the city.

"We will work hard with the state and city officials to turn this around," Dageforde said.