More Job Losses In Monroe County

Agee Broughton runs a general store in Perdue Hill. It’s just a few miles from Alabama River Newsprint.

“You just roll with it, you do what you have to do,” says Broughton. The reason for the layoffs here is a story that's been told time and again in Monroe County, high operating costs and a bad economy, bad markets for this business. Company officials declined to go on camera. A spokesman said the layoffs will be effective June 5th. Rising electrical costs and a declining demand for newsprint are partly to blame.

“This whole area is sustained by the timber industry, when we have mills and plants go away that affects everybody,” says Broughton. People here say the continued strain on timber is putting a strain on the region.

“Been a lot of layoffs already, lot of plants closing going to be a big blow to Monroe county,” says Walter Hunt. He lives in Perdue Hill. He says he's not happy about seeing another business go.