It was a tough night for some Brenham factory workers. They were notified Thursday that their jobs would be eliminated.

The Mount Vernon Mills plant is laying off 140 workers by the end of May. The plant currently employs 230 people, so the plant will lose half it's workforce.

The Brenham Mount Vernon Mills plant produces textile products. Employees losing their jobs worked in the plant's weaving division.

Several of those workers tell KBTX that they have a spouse, and in some cases children, who will also lose a job.

Brenham residents say their hearts go out to the workers.

"As far as I heard, there have been people working there 20 something years, and I can imagine how they feel. It's going to be hard on the families," said resident Dorothy Thomas.

Sandra Carlile, also of Brenham thought the job loss would negatively impact the town. "I do think its going to hurt the town because I don't feel there are that many opening for jobs right now in Brenham."

Maureen Reichardt aggrees. "Right now I have been fortunate to stay at home with my kids, but due to the economy, I'm looking for a job. Interviewing in Brenham right now is tough. There aren't a lot of jobs," said Reichardt.

Gary Williams, the corporation's human resources vice president said inexpensive imports eventually became too much for Mount Vernon Mills to overcome. Williams said the company had weaving operations at four plants, but only enough work for three.

Williams says the company has applied for Federal Trade Adjustments Assistance for the employees losing jobs. If approved, the money could extend workers' unemployment benefits, Cobra insurance, and help pay for them to go back to school.