Decrease in contracts forces Creative Apparel to cut back staff

EASTPORT – A lack of contracts for the manufacturing of chemical warfare suits has forced Creative Apparel to cut back its staff, city officials announced Wednesday.

Company president George Rybarczyk did not return a telephone call Thursday, but City Manager George “Bud” Finch confirmed the bad news.

“The city of Eastport received word from George Rybarczyk [recently that] due to a lack of contracts for chemical warfare suits there would be a significant reduction in work force at the Eastport facility.” Finch said. “It is unclear, at this time as to the long-term future of the facility and those involved in the sewing operations, but the cutting operation will remain in Eastport.”

He said the company had no plans to change its lease arrangement with the city.

At one time, the company employed more than 50 employees. Finch said he was uncertain how many would be affected by the layoff.

“Some workers will have the opportunity to work at the [Indian Township] facility where the workload is still sufficient for the crew there,” Finch said.

Creative Apparel of Belmont began in 1986. Three years later, the Passamaquoddy Tribe bought a 51 percent interest in the company.

In 1998, the company was the first tenant in the city’s Eastport Business Development Center on Route 190 in the former 72,000-square-foot Guilford of Maine facility. The startup of the $400,000 sewing operation began with 50 employees. It had recently won a $26 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce high-tech suits designed to protect troops from hazardous materials, which was when the company decided to open its Eastport facility.

But the Eastport operation wasn’t as fortunate this year. Finch said that Creative “found itself on the bottom end of contract volume in the current awards.” He said they were hopeful that future federal contracts would restore employment at the Eastport facility.

He has contacted Maine’s congressional delegation and the governor’s office for help. “While this may not be big in terms of paper mills and the like, every job you lose is significant to the person that loses and we want to do something that ensures they have a future,” he said.