In the wake of Mercury Marine

FOND DU LAC - Hundreds of companies throughout the state work with Mercury Marine. Those businesses will likely be impacted if operations move to Oklahoma. More than 1200 companies throughout the state do business with Mercury Marine.

Economic Development officials say 250 of those businesses are in the city of Fond du Lac. So when Mercury Marine makes some changes, the community ends up making changes too.

Monday morning means back to business for most of us. But this Monday, many living and working in Fond du Lac went back to work, with the future weighing on their minds.

"Certainly you're concerned." said Gregg Davies, president of Action Printing in Fond du Lac. "You're always concerned when something like this happens."

Action Printing employs more than 100 people. Davies says Mercury Marine is one of his company's top three clients. Action Printing produces engine manuals, among other things, for Mercury Marine. Davies hopes Action Printing will be able to continue working with Mercury Marine, even if it moves some or all of its operations to Oklahoma.

"We don't really know how that'll affect us yet. Number one, if they'll move and how fast they'll move, and what portions of the company or all of it that they'll move, we don't know that yet," said Davies.

"We do get a lot of their people in for lunches and suppers," said Marilyn Kirchner, owner of the Cool River Grill.

Cool River Grill is just a few blocks away from Mercury Marine. She is also concerned.

"If there aren't paychecks coming in to a home, then people won't go out and eat as much. Their entertainment dollars will be cut," said Kirchner.

It's not only for-profit businesses that depend on Mercury Marine. The Fond du Lac Area United Way says Mercury Marine contributes well over $100,000 to its annual campaign, that's about an eighth of its yearly fund raising goal.

Tina Potter, executive director of the Fond du Lac Area United Way says Mercury Marine is "one of the best corporate citizens here in the community along with others..."

The Fond du Lac Area United Way kicks off his annual campaign this weekend. If Mercury Marine moves hundreds of jobs out of state, the United Way will feel it.

"It's gonna impact us in a big way because we will probably lose a donation base here that we can always count on from Mercury Marine but also it's going to hurt the people that are going to be in need of services," said Potter.

The executive director for the Fond du Lac Area United Way says this year the organization is increasing its goal from $800,000 to $1 million. Potter says not only is the United Way at risk of losing donations if Mercury Marine moves, but it could very likely face an increased demand for services from out of work employees.

She and others in the community are still hopeful for a resolution that would keep Mercury Marine and its employees in Fond du Lac.