Arlington boatbuilder to shut down within 60 days

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARLINGTON, Wash. -- The news that Meridian Yachts will shut down its Arlington boat building operation within 60 days and lay off nearly all its 830 employees left many workers in tears and worried about where they will find a new paycheck. The company announced the closure at an all-staff meeting Thursday, saying a dramatic decline in boat sales nationwide forced the decision. "Many people cried," said Antonio Ibarra, of Mount Vernon, who has worked at the company for seven years. "The plant manager almost cried. He had a big speech, but he could not talk. We thought we were working for a company that was strong," Ibarra told The Herald of Everett. Sergo Ruben-Lopez, who joined Ibarra for a beer at the Buzz Inn after work, said the shutdown was a big loss. "The economy is not good," he said. "Even harder... [read full story]