Wave Transit, which services New Hanover and Brunswick counties, is laying off 12 part-time workers. Also, three full-time drivers will switch over to a part-time schedule – leaving them with fewer hours and no benefits.

The changes take effect on October 20. Wave Transit already announced a fare increase that will start on the same day. Management says the changes should keep the bus company from losing more money.

Meanwhile, U.S. Marine in Brunswick County is shutting down, taking 270 jobs with it.

Parent company Brunswick Corporation made the announcement on Thursday. The Navassa boatyard can reopen by the end of the year if fiberglass boat sales pick up.

Residents in the area say cutting this many jobs in such a small town will create problems in the community.

"It's going to devastate a lot of families and I don't think there are any jobs to replace them,” said Ronnie Groves of Navassa. “The world is in a critical situation."

July sales were down 40 percent from last year, and industry sales in 2007 were the lowest numbers ever. The shutdown comes after the loss of 50 jobs at the Navassa plant last summer.

Also, other major employers are also feeling the sting of the slumping economy.

One of the largest employers in Columbus County announced plans last week to lay off nearly 400 people. Georgia-Pacific says the dwindling housing market decreased the demand for plywood, which forced the company to close its Whiteville

Added on to that total are the nearly 70 people who are out of work in Carteret County. Atlantic Veneer Corporation in Beaufort recently announced plans to cut 67 jobs from the company’s manufacturing division.

Those cuts are due to lower demand for decorative woods products worldwide.