The “cat is out of the bag” to a large extent, as rampant rumors persist that the Fleetwood Mobile Home plant in Lafayette will re-open in the near future.

The city-county Industrial Development Board is scheduled to meet this Thursday, November 1 at 3 p.m. to discuss details of the proposed relocation of Fleetwood's operations from its Gallatin plant to Lafayette.

“I can't confirm or deny anything until after the Thursday afternoon meeting,” said Lafayette Mayor Bill Wells this Tuesday morning.

Wells did say that he and County Mayor Shelvy Linville have engaged in discussions and negotiations with Fleetwood operations people since August 28, 2007, concerning the possible re-opening of the Lafayette manufactured housing factory, located on Hwy. 52 west near the Lafayette Airport.

“They've asked us (the city) to turn the water back on (at the plant), to make sure there are no leaks or problems with their water system,” said Wells.

Beyond that, Wells said he would have to wait until after the Industrial Development Board meets before further discussing details of the arrangement which might bring between 125-160 workers back in to the idle manufacturing facility.

“If they do re-open the Lafayette plant, they expect many of their Gallatin employees to follow their jobs to Macon County,” continued Wells. “However, this could mean a considerable number of local people might be put back to work at the factory as well.”

Results of the actions taken at the Industrial Development Board meeting will appear in next week's paper.