DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-65,290

PARAGON MOLDS CORPORATION
FRASER, MICHIGAN

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance
and Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents the
results of its investigation regarding certification of eligibility
to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either paragraph
(a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act must be met.
It is determined in this case that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of
Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on February 18, 2009 in
response to a petition filed by a state agency representative on
behalf of workers of Paragon Molds Corporation, Fraser, Michigan.
The workers produce tooling; soft trim molds and patterns, to be
exact.
Employment and sales at the subject firm declined comparing
data provided for 2007 and 2008.
The Department of Labor surveyed the subject firm's major
declining customers regarding purchases of tooling and like or
directly competitive articles for 2007 and 2008. The survey
revealed increased imports of tooling and like or directly
competitive articles.
In addition, in accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of
1974 (26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding certification
of eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility requirements
of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The Department has
determined in this case that the requirements of Section 246 have
been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or over
and do not possess skills that are easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of tooling and
like or directly competitive articles produced at Paragon Molds
Corporation, Fraser, Michigan, contributed importantly to the total
or partial separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with the
provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:


"All workers of Paragon Molds Corporation, Fraser, Michigan,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after January 17, 2008 through two years from the date of
certification, are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance
under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also
eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 26th day of June 2009

/s/Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance