More than 200 Valley residents are without jobs after the Invista plant in Waynesboro had to make cuts, but the site manager says the layoffs may not be permanent.

The rainy December day reflected the atmosphere at the plant Wednesday, after employees learned they are being laid off due to the struggling economy.

Site manager Mike Laczynski says, "While I deeply regret that, I recognize that the marketplace has dealt this reality on us."

The real estate industry continues to spiral downward. Due to this, Laczynski says the layoffs will effect the nylon-fiber production sector used for creating carpet you see in your homes. However, he says these layoffs may just be temporary.

He adds, "Our plans would be to restart the asset and hire the necessary people to operate on that asset."

Laczynski calls it an idling process, and hopes employees will be able to get back their jobs sometime in the future.

He says, "I can tell you at this point we believe it ill be at least six months."

However, he adds it's difficult to pinpoint an actual timetable for a rehiring process.

He says, "If it were to be shorter, that's wonderful news for everyone. If it will be longer, it will be because the marketplace, the economy, the consumer confidence, the banking industry, the housing industry, they ultimately determine when the demand is there for the restarting of our asset."

Invista is continuing to discuss the details of the idling process with the United Workers Union which represents employees.