After months of drama, devastation, and despair, there could be one last chance for the Standish Maximum Facility to remain open.
The facility has already lost inmates from California and Guantanamo Bay detainees, but Pennsylvania could provide the inmates it needs.
Closed October 31st, the Standish Maximum Corrections Facility has a vacant parking lot and no more picket signs out front.
Most of the locals have given up hope on keeping people employed at the facility, but a new announcement is breathing new life in the situation.
Posted by the union that represents Standish security workers, the announcement says Pennsylvania officials will be touring the Standish facility during the third week of November.
Right now, the guards have to drive longer distances to get to other facilities.
Prison guard Paul Piche says, "It's really devastating the people that worked at Standish. Some people have had to take temporary homes over in the St. Louis area because they were coming from Oscoda, Hale, well over two hours drive."
Because of Piche's seniority, he was able to bump his way into the St. Louis, Michigan facility.
He and his wife drive a three-hour round trip to work.
Reopening Standish would mean more money for the area.
With it closed, Arenac County's 20% unemployment would balloon to much higher.
There are already proposals to increase business owners water rates by 43%.
Some of those owners say they'd lose their businesses if that's the case.
Piche says, "Everyone is afraid Standish is going to become a ghost town."
The Standish city manager says there's no official word from Pennsylvania corrections officials about a visit next week.
The union says, in addition to Standish, a Muskegon facility will also be toured next week.
