Layoffs at Dow Chemical

Midland-based Dow Chemical says 2,400 employees will be laid off with 20 plants closed world wide due to continued economic slowdowns.  Roughly half of those layoffs will be in North America including workers at an Automotive Systems Diesel Particulate Filters plant in Midland that will be closed. No time table on the plant closures was immediately available.  Dow says the down sizing is designed to strengthen long term competitiveness while focusing resources in areas that will drive growth and deliver the most profitable returns on investment.  (Michigan Radio Network)