Immediately after the announcement of the closure of the Ford plants in 2012, negotiations began with Ford to take over the sites and handle the decommissioning. Today, eight years after its effective closure, the master plan enters its final phase. “The future of all plots at the old Ford site are hereby assured,” announced Flemish Minister for Economy Jo Brouns and Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters. “Limburg and Flanders can close a dark chapter for good,” said Genk mayor Wim Dries and deputy Tom Vandeput.