ST. ALBANS TOWN, Vt. -
For more than 50 years the Energizer building in St. Albans, Vermont building has been helping create batteries that power items we use.
But in an evolving technological world, less people are turning to its products.
And so on Thursday, Energizer officials called state leaders.
"We had the sense that it was not going to be a happy phone call," said Vermont Commerce Secretary Lawrence Miller.
Miller says for months they've been working with the company to keep it in Franklin County.
But the market for lithium batteries has dropped and so 160 people will be out of work in ten months.
News that shocked St. Albans Town Manager Carrie Johnson.
"It is significant. I mean Energizer has been in that location for over 60 years. There are generations of people that work there," said Johnson.
The one good thing state economic leaders say is the time Energizer gave its employees to find a new job.
That also gives the Department of Labor time to train people and talk to other employers about hiring them.
"Over that time period, for that number of people I think it should work out ok," said Johnson.
And Miller says Franklin County does have jobs available, which is a reason why its unemployment rate of 4.4% is well below the state's average.
But Miller says the money employees make now won't necessarily be the same.
"They won't be making exactly what they're making," said Miller.
Energizer plans to send the jobs in Franklin County overseas.
State leaders say because of that federal funds may also be available to help workers get new jobs.
