JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Anchor Glass Container Corporation is set to close its facility in Jacksonville in February of 2025, axing the jobs of the 144 people who work there currently. The company is known for providing glass bottles for companies like Anheuser-Busch.
Monday, a letter was sent to the mayor's office informing her staff about the Anchor Glass Container Corporation, which has been a Jacksonville staple for almost a century. Layoffs are scheduled to begin in January.
Michelle Jackson lives across the street from the facility and is concerned about the impact the closure will have on the community.
“With a business that has been a staple in the community such as AnchorGlass, when you leave a community, and you leave to the tune of 144 people, out of a job, families are affected," said Jackson.
The mayor's office issued a statement saying "We're as disappointed as anyone that it didn’t work out. We believe Jacksonville's success in attracting manufacturing companies will lead to new opportunities at this plant in the future."
First Coast News spoke with Lake Ray, the President of First Coast Manufacturing Association, about the closure.
"What has happened over the course of the last several years, people are changing how they have bottled things. You will note there's a lot of plastic bottles, there are bottles made out of aluminum. There's been this change in how we packaging liquids are concerned," Ray said.
This facility is one of six across the United States. The letter says there may be opportunities for employees to transfer to other company locations. Jackson says she worries for her community.
“Jobs aren’t coming very quickly, and you’re flooding a market with 144 people, where are they going to go?" asked Jackson.
First Coast News reached out to Anchor Glass Community Corporation for a statement and we have not yet heard back.