Examining a closed plant, seven years later

Tom Martin, the editor of the Galesburg Register-Mail in Illinois, tells readers how the paper’s series on what happened to the workers at the Maytag plant in town that closed seven years ago was put together.

Martin writes, “The study, which included a survey, and the series were done by Knox College faculty and students in cooperation with an advisory group of former employees and with The Register-Mail.

“Marilyn Webb, distinguished professor of journalism at Knox, was the project and editorial director. Professor of economics Richard Stout was the principle data analyst. Knox photography instructor Mike Godsil was photo director. Ryan Sweikert was the assistant data and editorial director. Of the 902 workers, 425 received surveys last summer asking a variety of questions about their lives; 133 surveys were returned, adding up to a 31 percent response rate.

“The series includes 11 stories that present the results of the surveys, while telling the stories of former workers. Stories include topics such as pay, health, retraining, fears, future, loss of community and job satisfaction. The series starts Sunday and runs each day through Friday.

“The series is a real service to the community, offering the first comprehensive look at what actually happened to those who found themselves out of work when the plant closed more than six years ago.”

Read more here. I like how the paper worked with the local college to produce the series.