[Photo courtesy of WHNT Channel 19 TV]

The Town of Valley Head in DeKalb County, has received some troubling news:  their major employer, Shaw Industries, is closing down.

It looks as though the Valley Head plant will be closed by the end of the summer, meaning a loss of 183 jobs; Shaw officials said the jobs will be relocated to other locations in Alabama and Georgia, adding that Valley Head employees will be given an option to transfer.

Shaw, which first opened that plant in the tiny northeastern Alabama town back in 1971, is reportedly investing in new production and manufacturing methods, as consumers indicate that they prefer products with filament yarn – not spun yarn – as had been the case in years past.  The company had already done away with 160 jobs at the Valley Head plant last year.

DeKalb County Economic Development Authority Executive Director, Jimmy Durham stated that the closure wasn’t entirely unexpected, adding that the final word came down Tuesday

Durham said many of the employees laid off last year were able to take early retirement but it’s unclear how many of the 183 workers remaining will have that same option open to them.

(al.com/www.al.com)