Story and photos by Adam Faubert

The news of the plant's closure came as a shock to many

A young girl plays on the swings at Rouses Point Elementary School. Her small body wrapped in layers for protection against the chilly, autumn North Country weather. She yells, laughs, talks with her friends, and gazes across the schoolyard. Below the grey hue of the sky, amidst the swirling yellow and red leaves, sits the three-story, high-bricked walls of Wyeth. In 2008, everything that building stands for will be no more.

Earlier this year, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals announced the closing of its plant in Rouses Point, New York. The news came as a shock to its 1,250 employees. The official closure was announced on local television and spread via Internet news outlets on the afternoon of October 11, 2005, but the plant’s employees found out earlier that morning. Workers were called into a warehouse in small groups where plant Managing Director Robert Vincent had to break the news.

Susan Davis, a 24-year veteran of the plant knew something wasn’t right. “The expression on his face looked sad that morning,” said Davis, who was in the first group of employees to be told. She admits that rumors spread around the plant about a big announcement. No one knew whether it was good news or bad news, and no one expected a complete closure of the plant. Davis admitted, “I joked around that it felt like Christmas. Everyone was excited and anxious to hear the announcement.”

When it was all done, and the truth of the morning meetings was revealed, there was nothing but silence. No one made comments as the gentle hum of the air conditioners dominated the packed warehouse.

“Everything is going to Ireland and Puerto Rico.”

Wyeth blames poor sales of Premarin, a key drug manufactured at the Rouses Point Facility. A report in 2002 linked long-term use of Premarin, which reduces the side-effects of menopause, to breast cancer. Since the report, sales of the drug have plummeted by millions. To some of the plant’s employees, poor sales of Premarin aren’t enough justification to close an entire plant. “They’re sending the work overseas,” Larry Harney, a Wyeth employee, said in an article in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican. A sentiment that Davis seemed to share, “Everything is going to Ireland and Puerto Rico.” That day a Newbridge, Ireland, facility was reported to be taking over Premarin production when it ceases at the Rouses Point plant.

The closing of the plant is an obvious economic blow to the region, with 1,250 people facing unemployment within the next two years. “There are husbands, wives, and children all in the same family that work there,” according to Davis. Families bankrolled their houses, their children’s educations; everything was acquired with the money from their jobs at Wyeth. These employees created a housing boom in Rouses Point that saw many new developments with large, multi-storied houses.

Even before the doors close, officials will be looking for another company to come in to try to recoup the 1,250 jobs being lost

On the outskirts of Rouses Point I stand on Smith Street and see the economic impact that Wyeth has had on this village. Newly developed or remodeled houses with their bright siding and crystal-clear windows sit side-by-side older homes from the 70s and 80s. A stroll over to the adjacent Beacon Heights Drive reveals an even newer development. There are houses of every color with two stories and full garages; some face Lake Champlain with a fantastic view of the majestic Green Mountains, while others gaze upon their neighbors. Ten years ago these houses didn’t exist, and the closing of Wyeth is likely to have a significant impact on communities like this. Communities that helped Michael Bushey, a vice president with the Local 95c Chemical Workers Union, walk to work each morning with his daughters, since their school was directly across the road from the plant. “Those were always special moments and hold fond memories,” said Bushey.

However, those communities are now threatened. With the closing of the plant, many employees will be looking to transfer to other jobs in the company or moving elsewhere. Bushey said he knew of several supervisors looking for new work, with some looking as far south as South Carolina.

But they may not have to. As soon as the news was announced, village and county officials immediately began analyzing the impact the closure would have on the community and what could be done about it. According to Becky Manor, an employee with the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Rouses Point is a very marketable location for companies, which include Wyeth’s rivals. “We will be stressing the plant’s impending designation as an Empire Zone in the marketing of Wyeth.” An Empire Zone designation means certain economic incentives will be used to attract investment and job creation from new companies. Manor also noted that Rouses Point’s close proximity to the border, access to cheap electric power, and trained work force already worked to the village’s advantage.

As that little girl continues to play on her swing, employees start leaving the plant; it’s the end of the day. In 2008, many of those same employees will be leaving for good. This will leave Rouses Point with many uncertainties. What is certain, however, is that while Wyeth may leave the plant, the plant will never leave the memories of those who live in the communities it helped create.

How has the news of Wyeth's closure affected you?

Many different products went through the Wyeth Rouses Point production lines at one stage or another.

Premarin - Premarin has been used for 60 years to combat the symptoms of menopause. In the late 90s up to 12 million women were seeking treatment through Premarin. A report released in 2002 linked long-term use of the drug to cancer and prescriptions fell by millions.

Advil - Used for years as a relief for headaches, muscle aches, and cramps, Advil is one of Wyeth's most successful products. The pill has brought in $3 billion in sales over the past three years.