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"There will be a ripple effect throughout the county," she said. "We're in such tough economic times now. Workers there who used to spend money in East Greenbush will no longer be doing so. I'm worried about the effect of this on the county."
Employees were notified last week of the closure. They will receive severance pay and outplacement assistance and have recall rights for one year. Several employees will continue to maintain the plant for an eventual reopening when/ if the economy improves, according to a statement issued by Nancy Spurlock, director of corporate communications.
She said the slow housing market has affected orders at the plant, forcing it to close. The demand for building products, she said, is down 40% since mid-2006. In addition to fewer new homes being built, the total number of residential home sales has declined 33% from the same time last year, according to the Greater Capital Association of Realtors, Inc.
Mrs. O'Brien said she was on the Town Board when National Gympsum first announced plans to locate here, about 15 to 20 years ago. "We were very excited that a national business wanted to come to East Greenbush," she said. "That was big for us. It led the way for other industries to look our way."
In June, the company, with headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., closed plants in Ohio and Florida. The company has announced plans to shutter other plants in North Carolina and New Jersey in January.
Earlier this year, Albany International, a company formerly on Route 4, closed its doors.
And Millbrook Kitchens on Route 20 in Nassau has been laying off workers since the summer, although a representative of the company said he hopes to begin hiring people back sometime in mid-January.
"Millbrook is a renowned name here and that business is facing the same effects as National Gypsum, as there is less new construction going on," said Mrs. O'Brien.
Supervisor Rick McCabe said he is saddened by the closure.
"It seems that every day throughout the county, that something else is closing," he said. "It's a pretty scary thing. Hopefully this will only be temporary. I'm hopeful that in the next 12 months, the economy will turn around."
Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino announced that the One Stop Employment Center, a collaborative effort between the county and the state Department of Labor, will assist employees of National Gypsum with their reemployment efforts.
One Stop Employment Center representatives will provide orientation sessions on site coinciding with the three shifts the plant currently runs, to give every employee an opportunity to take advantage of the services offered. The sessions will include information on unemployment benefits, resume preparation, and available training workshops.
"This is obviously a very trying time for all the families impacted by the closure of this plant," said Mrs. Jimino. "I am hopeful that the employees affected will take advantage of the One Stop services available so we can help them return to gainful employment quickly."
For more information on the services available call (518) 270-2860.
To contact reporter Kristin Shaw email kshaw@IndeNews.com.
