More than 200 people to be laid off from Simsboro glass plant

Changes are coming to the town of Simsboro.

This after a major company hands out pink slips.

The layoffs are expected to take effect July 23rd.

"It adds up to about 200 people that will be laid off," said Mayor Sybil Foster.

Ardagh Glass made the announcement last month.

KNOE 8 News just learned the reason behind the layoffs. The company says crews need to drain one of its two furnaces, shutting down a part of the plant.

Mayor Sybil Foster hopes the people who are out of a job don't move away from the area.

"The layoff would be six months," Foster said. "Possibly even an excess of six months, but six months seemed to be the shortest amount of time they would lay them off."

The Mayor says the plant is one of the town's major sources of employment. She says the layoffs could create a negative impact on the community.

"It's going to be a toll on Simsboro because a lot of people stay here," said Police Chief Jerry Davis.

Davis says he's spoken with some of the workers of the plant and they're not too happy about it.

"I also heard there was a lot of people that wanted to retire and let the young people stay there," said Davis.

"It may mean that they will have to move off to another location,” Foster said. “So that would put a few houses on the market and it'll vacate some rentals and that sort of thing. The income, of course will be reflected in the village income."

The mayor says she's not sure what will happen next.

"I have a lot of sympathy for these people,” said Foster. “I wish them the very best and I hope they don't have to leave the area."

Now, many people are hoping to find a new way to support their families.