A major employer in Post Falls is shutting down its operation there, taking with it about 260 jobs. The Kimball office furniture plant will be phased out starting next year as the company consolidates operations at its Jasper, Indiana home plant.
A company spokesman said the decision was based on economics, since 80 percent of the company's market is east of the Rockies. He said Post Falls employees were told of the planned closure on Wednesday. They'll be offered a severance package and some assistance with job re-training or placement.
The first layoffs probably won't begin until January, and will continue for perhaps two years.
Kimball has operated the manufacturing plant in Post Falls since 1994, and once employed as many as 450 people at peak output. The company's in talks with another unspecified firm for sale of the 475,000 square foot plant.