Seventy-one full-time employees work at the factory that manufactures compactors and containers for the recycling industry.

The Vernon, Ala.,-based company will cease operations in Clearfield on May 15.

"Due to poor economic conditions, production of the Clearfield plant is being consolidated with the Vernon plant," said Mike Beuke, vice president of operations. "We greatly appreciate the dedication and contribution of the Clearfield employees since the plant's opening in 1989."

The Progress learned of the plant closing early yesterday morning from plant employees, but the company said it was waiting to inform all of its employees before officially announcing it to the media.

"I was shocked," said Lawrence Township Supervisor Dan Mitchell of the closing. And Supervisor William Lawhead said he was "terrified."

Mr. Lawhead said the closing of the plant not only is a blow to the local economy, but it will also impact the township's tax revenue.

Marathon stated in a press release that it is working with the Pennsylvania Dislocated Workers Unit to help its employees find other jobs in the community. Workers will continue to receive employment and benefits for 60 more days.

The company is also working with employees to help them take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by local agencies and schools, as well as outplacement counseling and access to an onsite computer and resume and interview training.

With the announced closing of the Marathon plant, Appalachian Wood Products will soon be the last manufacturing operation left in the Clearfield Firemen's Commerce Park, according to Mr. Mitchell.

Mr. Lawhead said he spent much of yesterday afternoon in meetings with Tom Stojek, director of the Lawrence Township Wolf Run Industrial Park Authority, which manages the commerce park, on ways they can encourage businesses to locate in the park.

He said Mr. Stojek has an extensive file detailing what has been done so far and what they plan to do in the future.

Mr. Lawhead said with the closing of Marathon there will be changes made, but he didn't detail what those changes will be.

The authority and its partner organization, the Clearfield Foundation, are currently seeking to re-enroll the unoccupied land in the park in the state's Keystone Opportunity Zone legislation, which provides tax savings on local and state taxes for 10 years to companies that locate within the zone.

The authority is also seeking $5 million in federal stimulus funds to remove mine spoil and grade the south parcel in the park to make it "shovel ready" for businesses.

The authority also is marketing the recently completed northern parcel and its now-vacant 20,000-square-foot speculation building.

The Lawrence Township Board of Supervisors voted to approve the application for re-enrollment in the KOZ program at its meeting yesterday afternoon.

The Clearfield County Commissioners voted to approve it last week.

The Clearfield Area School District is the last local taxing authority that has to approve the application before it is sent to the state for approval.

The Clearfield Area Board of School Directors is scheduled to vote on the KOZ measure at its meeting on Monday.

The KOZ zones include the north parcel, the south parcel, the lower south parcel and the speculation building.