GARNETT — Shortly after buying a Garnett business, a Michigan company has announced they’re closing it and moving operations to Michigan. The Anderson County Review reported that Backyard Products, Monroe, Mich., bought Garnett’s Kids Creations last month. The Review reporteds owners of Backyard Products are saying little about their sudden announcement to Garnett employees to close. Anderson County Economic Development director Dennis Arnold told the Garnett City Commission Tuesday night that he was surprised by the announcement. Arnold told commissioners the new owners had asked him for help to expand the Garnett business and he had been working on finding expansion locations and looking for economic incentives when he learned of the announcement. “I know the local people who were involved with the company were totally blindsided by it, and so were we,” he said. The city and the Anderson County Commission have sent letters expressing their disappointment and urging the company to keep the plant in Garnett. Kids Creations makes high-end wooden backyard play sets. Backyard Products mostly makes outdoor storage sheds but also makes a less expensive line of backyard play sets.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.
