Sumitomo is shutting down another of its south-central Kentucky plants.

SEWA officials have announced they'll get rid of their magnet wire plant in Edmonton in mid-2009, putting 110 people out of work.

"This was a complete shock to us. As far as we knew, the company was stable and we thought everything was going well," said Metcalfe County Judge-Executive, Greg Wilson.

However, Sumitomo officials say keeping the plant is no longer financially feasible.

Sumitomo Chairperson Yukihide Ito said in a press release, "If this situation could have been avoided, SEWA would have made another decision. There's no choice but to eliminate production of magnet wire in Kentucky, because the costs to manufacture our products in the United States are too high for us to be competitive in this industry".

Yet, Wilson says the closing will also hurt the county.

"It's going to impact the county seriously because about 80 of these people are Metcalfe County people and they have only about a year and a half until the factory completely closes," said Wilson.

That means businesses throughout the town could suffer because of less customers.

But Wilson says they aren't going to just roll over and play dead.

They are already working on other options to replace the plant.

"We have started on a 'spec' building and we're in the process of getting another recruiter to help bring more industry to Metcalfe County," explained Wilson.

The judge-executive hopes these measures will soften the economic blow when the plant does close its doors for good.

In order to help the current employees, Sumitomo will try to relocate as many of them as possible to its other plants.

Employees will also be given severance packages and benefits when the plant does close.

Here is a copy of the full press release from Sumitomo:

Sumitomo Electric Wintec America, Inc. ( SEWA) announced today that the company will cease manufacturing operations at its Edmonton magnet wire plant by mid-2009, eliminating approximately 110 jobs.

Eligible employees will receive a generous severance and benefits package.