Governor Matt Blunt sees a silver lining in the gloom of Ford’s decision to drastically reduce its workforce. Ford has announced it will close the Hazelwood factory and consolidate production of the Ford Explorer in Louisville, Kentucky. While Blunt is disappointed in the announcement, he says a closer look at Ford’s announcement contains a bright spot for the state. The Claycomo plant in Kansas City is the only Ford plant to build a hybrid; the hybrid version of the Ford Escape. It also builds the regular Escape along with its Mercury and Mazda cousins. Claycomo also builds Ford F-150 pick-ups. While Hazelwood employs 1,400 workers, Claycomo employs nearly 6,000.
