LIMA, Ohio – When times get tough in Lima, Superior FederalCredit Union makes sure its `people helping people' message getsout to those in need, and earlier this month it had to do just thatto handle a traumatic plant closing. “We've had our share of gloomynews here, but when one of our major manufacturers announced it wasclosing and dropping 250 jobs, we knew we had to act quickly tosupport our members,” explained Phil R. Buell, president and CEO ofthe $171 million CU. Superior immediately sent out letters tomembers about to be laid off inviting them to stop in the branchesto discuss their financial condition and at the same also scheduleda well-publicized “workshop” on financial education for allemployees at the Milcor Corp., a producer of metal doors andhatches. Sponsorship of the Superior workshop brought extraordinarymedia coverage in this northwest Ohio community, triggering a largenumber of members to make appointments with CU staffers. “Yourcredit union does not have all of the answers,” wrote Superior in areassuring Dec. 29 letter sent to Milcor employees prior to theJan. 7 workshop. The letter emphasized that Superior is ready “toassist you in making wise financial decisions” and will meet withany Milcor employee at his/her convenience. “We will confidentiallydiscuss your individual financial situation and work to providesolutions,” continued the letter. It was noted that the CU, ratherthan any local bank, stepped forward in reaching out to Milcoremployees with the workshop and the letters. The workshop, whichdrew a lower than expected turnout, covered such topics as pensionmanagement, retirement planning, credit protection, budgeting andloan refinance. The workshop, held in a local restaurant, provided“an interactive financial education program” for Milcor employeesduring a difficult period for the community, said Superior.Newspaper articles quoted Kurt Neeper, director of marketing at theCU, as saying Superior stood ready to guide employees in protectingtheir financial health without destroying their credit beforefinding new jobs. As part of the program to promote its Milcorassistance, Neeper said the CU is “stopping long-time employees asthey enter our branches and passing the word about our interest tohelp. Two of the seminar attendees were the union president and thepayroll clerk, and each of them was given stacks of information andbusiness cards to take back to employees.” Buell, the CEO, said theCU is gratified at the workshop response since the articlesappeared Jan. 8 and he added Superior is prepared for more localcutbacks should they occur. He said manufacturing jobs at Lima'sbiggest employers have been on the decline for some time pointingto a Ford Motor operation here “which while it hasn't closed, itused to have 4,000 jobs and now is down to 400.”[email protected]