The massive Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. factory on Ramsey Street north of Fayetteville is set to close in 2027, the company said on Tuesday.
“After extensive efforts to make the Fayetteville, North Carolina facility competitive, Goodyear is in discussions with the United Steelworkers to close the facility by the end of 2027,” Kylie Ulanski, the senior director of Global Manufacturing & Supply Chain Communications, told CityView by email.
“This difficult action is necessary to strengthen Goodyear’s ability to compete in today’s marketplace and support the long‑term health of the business. Our focus is on treating all impacted associates fairly and communicating openly as discussions move forward,” Ulanski said.
Efforts to reach United Steelworkers Local 959 were unsuccessful on Tuesday.
The plant has about 1,700 hourly and salaried employees, Ulanski said.
The Fayetteville factory opened in late 1969 after the Kelly-Springfield Tire Co., a Goodyear subsidiary, chose Cumberland County for the plant. The companies merged in 1996. In 2005, the plant took on the Goodyear name, Tyrepress.com reported.
Goodyear has long been one of Cumberland County’s largest and better-paying private employers. It’s a relatively rare manufacturing operation in a community with an economy dominated by lower-wage retail, rental, real estate, and service businesses that cater to the military families and defense workers of Fort Bragg, one of the largest military bases in the world.
In a joint press release from the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation, local elected leaders said they are preparing for the loss.
“While this news is disappointing, Fayetteville has always risen to meet challenges head-on,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said. “We are redoubling our efforts to connect our workforce to new opportunities and ensure our residents are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Our commitment to building a Next Generation workforce has never been more critical.”
Kirk deViere, chair of the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners, said the city and county will help support employees at the plant.
“Cumberland County cares deeply about every worker and family impacted by this closure,” deViere said. “Together, with our partners at NCWorks, Mid-Carolina Regional Workforce Development Board, Fayetteville Technical Community College, and the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the City and County are committed to providing support and resources to those affected.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
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