Following Harley-Davidson's shock announcement last week that their Buell Motorcycle division is to be shuttered, a group of American businessmen from the area surrounding Buell headquarters in East Troy, Wisconsin is looking at taking over the company and keeping the local motorcycle factory open.

According to an economic development alliance news release, the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance has formed a team of officials from the Village of East Troy, Walworth County Board and East Troy Chamber of Commerce. The team plans to meet with company founder Erik Buell to learn about the company’s options and evaluate what can be done to continue production and save the jobs of its 170 employees.