230 jobs will be lost in Albany textile-mill closing

<p>Flint River Textiles, a 95-year-old Albany fabric company, will be closed down in March, putting its 230 employees out of work.</p><p>President Philip McArdle said the company was unable to compete with cheap Asian textiles that have flooded the market in recent years. Flint Rivers sales have dropped 40 percent since 2000 and the company has lost money in each of the last three years, McArdle said.</p><p>Honestly, it was inevitable, he said. Were up against prices there is no way in Gods name we can compete with.</p><p>Established in 1909, the company produced fabrics for home furnishings.</p><p>McArdle said the timing of the shutdown will allow the company to pay employees, vendors and creditors before the closing.</p><p>McArdle said employees were saddened when they were notified of the closing on Monday.</p><p>The finality came as a shock, even though we all knew sooner or later it would happen, he said.</p><p>The company has requested support for its employees under the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which helps U.S. workers whose jobs have been lost because of imports.</p><p>Tim Martin, president of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, said the closure will have little impact on Albanys overall economy, but said it would be a tough blow for the employees and their families.</p><p>Information from: The Albany Herald</p>