What can we learn, and how can we move forward, from Energizer's
decision to close their Franklin County facility?  They have
been clear that Vermont is on the unfortunate side of a re-
structuring - sales of batteries made at the plant are
declining. They've chosen to close plants in two states and
Malaysia, while consolidating manufacturing in Singapore, a
country with low tax rates and a transparent regulatory
framework.  It hurts. It hurts employees and their families,
financially and emotionally. It will hurt other local
businesses. And it hurts our ability to reduce poverty and
combat drug abuse. And, it will take time to find new jobs to
fill that building.  Naturally, we want to have as many
homegrown businesses as possible. But the reality of the global
market place is that companies like Energizer, or IBM, which
have traditionally provided good manufacturing jobs, are
headquartered elsewhere.  In fact, a significant segment of our
private sector jobs are provided by companies that are
headquartered s