Clay County, AL - More than 200 people were laid off at Wellborne Cabinets in Clay County. That brings the total to more than four hundred pink slips issued since last year. Workers still on the pay roll agreed to a 10-percent salary cut and they no longer get matching 401k benefits. All this adds up to hard times in East Alabama.

According to Mary Patchunka, director of the Clay Co. Chamber of Commerce, "It's been a huge impact to our area."

As the number of lay offs grows so does the struggle to make ends meet.

Patchunka says "We've had people calling up here telling us their electricity has been turned off, they can't feed their family."

County Commisioner Wayne Watts reports, "Our crime rate has increased. I talked to our 911 earlier today and their calls have tripled."

County leaders try to sort out a solution bypassing on help wanted ads from job fairs as far away as Sylacauga. There's a fear that if Wellborn Cabinats ever shut down completely Lineville and Ashalnd would become ghost towns, but it's more than Clay County that feels the impact of the recent layoffs. The seven counties around Clay report some of the highest unemployment rates across Central Alabama. Each of these counties is directly affected by lay offs at Wellborn Cabinets. That's because the company employs workers from this entire region.

According to Watts, "Our county right now... there are no jobs available that I'm aware of. I went to Calhoun County last Thursday and met with their employment service and even Wal-mart's not hiring."

So where can residents turn for a job? Right now there's no magic solution.

Patchunka advises to "Keep your chin up. I hope and pray that things are going to get better for all of us out there."

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