Employees of Romeo Rim, a maker of parts for John Deere tractors, have been notified that the plant is closing Dec. 15, a source with knowledge of the company said.

Officials of Romeo Rim told workers during a morning meeting Wednesday that slumping sales was the key reason for the closure, the source said.

About 40 workers are expected to lose their jobs. No severance package will be offered to the displaced workers, the source said.

Romeo Rim was the first manufacturer to locate in the Cherokee Corporate Park on Hwy. 105. Romeo Rim's planned shutdown leaves Boysen as the park's lone manufacturing tenant.

Requests for comment from the local plant manager were declined. A telephone message left for a corporate spokesperson in Romeo, Mich., wasn't returned.

The plant closing comes on the heels of a massive layoff by Freightliner and other discouraging local economic news.

Cherokee County Development Board Director Jim Cook said he had no knowledge of Romeo Rim's plans. But added, if true, Romeo Rim's action is more discouraging than other recent economic setbacks.

"I haven't heard anything official yet," Cook said. "But if it does happen it's unfortunate. Romeo Rim was a good corporate citizen. It's a sign of the times. We've had some layoffs by companies which means the employees may be hired back if the economy improves, but a plant closing would be worse.

"But we are committed to working harder than ever with the Department of Commerce and Upstate Alliance to bring industries here."