Study: Auto bankruptcy could hit 5% of Hoosiers

The IBJ

A study released today by the Democratic-leaning Economic Policy Institute estimates 40,700 to 147,300 Hoosiers would be thrown out of jobs if one or more of the three Detroit automakers were to shut down.

The figures equate to 3 percent to 5 percent of the state's 2.9 million workers.

Only Michigan would be hit harder, potentially losing nearly 9 percent of its employment, the Washington, D.C., think tank said.

Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Missouri and Mississippi rounded out the top 10 states. Mississippi could see 2.8 percent of its employment lost.

Nationally, 3.3 million jobs would be at risk if General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC were to vanish.

In addition to the direct employment in assembly and parts plants, vulnerable positions extend through services including finance and insurance.