News of the company’s proposed merger with Stanley pulls at the very heartstrings of many Marylanders.
"I know Stanley's cutting back competition, but to take over Black & Decker? That's a shock," said Denise Hill of Parkville.
"I've worked for an industrial contractor over 20 years and industry is leaving this town,” added Gary Fitch, “Every time you turn around there's another company closing."
Black & Decker employees 20,000 people around the world including about 1,500 in Maryland.
"The jobs that are here... hopefully they stay here," said Maryland Business & Economic Development Secretary Christian Johansson.
State leaders remain optimistic even though initial projections suggest the company could cut as many as 400 jobs right up front.
"Governor O'Malley is going to be calling the CEO of Stanley Works. He's going to be calling the CEO of Black & Decker and asking them that question directly and asking what the state can do to be a helpful partner in this," said Johansson.
But while the brand and tools will survive, there’s little question the merger represents a loss for the state.
"The advantage of having these Fortune 500 or any headquartered company here,” said Mike Cramer of Glen Arm, “they do support the charities and they put more money locally than they would if you're headquartered in Sanford, Connecticut or where ever it's going to be."
New Britain, Connecticut to be exact---300 miles and almost a century’s worth of history removed from here.
