More than 300 GPC workers are on unemployment
These are worrying economic times for all of us. Muscatine County's unemployment rate is rising. Local layoffs dominate the headlines. More than 300 experienced workers from Grain Processing Corporation can't work because the company has thrown them out and locked the doors. With these troubling economic signs, some might think it's time to live frugally. But GPC's executives still ride a multi-million dollar plane across the country, and around the state.
Cessna Citation V Ultra
Supposedly the most popular business jet ever built. Typically manned by two professional pilots, it seats 7-8 passengers depending on the configuration. Click here to see a typical layout and interior pictures from corporate jet leasing firm NetJets. To the right, you see GPC's jet on the ground at the airport in Naples, Florida. Below, you can see GPC's jet in the air at the same airport.
Why drive when you can fly?
Most of us have driven around the state of Iowa before. We didn't even realize there was another option. But if you're an executive of a company that just "realized efficiencies" due to putting hundreds of Muscatine workers on unemployment, why drive? GPC's corporate jet has made four trips to Ames and Waterloo, Iowa in less than two months.
While Muscatine's economy is suffering...
Some are in Florida. Despite the tough times we all are facing, including an unemployment rate well above the state average, some corporate leaders are spending time out of state. GPC's multi-million dollar corporate jet has made six trips to Florida in the last four months. GPC has no plants or branches in that state. When the unemployment rate in our county is 23% higher than the rest of the state, shouldn’t our corporate leaders be here putting people back to work, rather than jetting off to Florida?
To get your own printable version of our Muscatine Journal ad about this jet's jaunts to Florida, click here.
Track GPC's jet yourself & then take action
You can also track GPC's multi-million dollar airplane as it cruises around the country. You too can monitor the progress of GPC's Cessna Citation Ultra V on FlightAware.com. You can also register and see the last four months of flights that it has taken.
Then, when you've had enough, click here to send a letter to Gage Kent, GPC's CEO, and tell him it's time to put Muscatine first!
