The Patriot News reported that Steelton pipe maker Dura Bond Industries recently warned that it will be laying off 180 employees as soon as May 4th 2009, but the borough's mayor said the action already occurred last week.

Mr Thomas Acri mayor of Steelton said that Dura Bond sent a letter this month warning of the possibility after an order with a major customer was put on hold, but then followed through with the layoffs after the order was canceled.

He said that local restaurants and gas stations were most likely to take a hit following the layoff. He added that "It'll affect the local community as far as people being on the streets spending money."

It may be noted that Dura Bond bought the factory in 2003 from the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation. The property had been unused since 1998 when it was mothballed by Bethlehem Steel Corp. It expanded its workforce from 30 to 200 employees, and added an additional 100 jobs in 2007 when a second shift was created.

(Sourced from www.patriot-news.com)