FENTON, MO. (KMOX) - A new 18 month study, by an independent firm, shows the loss of the two Chrysler Plants in Fenton continues to ripple through the St. Louis economy.

“The overall severity of the impact of these two plants closing  is staggering.  15-Billion dollars in lost economic output” said President and C.E.O. of the St. Louis County Economic Council Denny Coleman.

Coleman said also staggering is the number of both direct and indirect jobs lost: 43,000 is the figure the study came up with.

Coleman says the job losses are far reaching, effecting more than Southwest St. louis County, but deep into Franklin and Jefferson Counties, through out Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois.

The conclusion of the study, by consultant AECOM of Chicago is that the loss of the plants continues to ripple through the region. 

Coleman said the information will be used to develop a game plan for growing the economy.

Some strategies could be laid out next month.

Complicating prospects for new development at the old Chrysler sites is possible environmental contamination under the concrete slabs and a dispute over whether the 295-acre site is on a flood plain.

More information on the study can be seen at www.SLCEC.com

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