NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. -- Citing a bad economy that has led to decreased demand for its products, the Bayer MaterialSciences plant in New Martinsville plans to cut 70 jobs, about 17 percent of its work force.

Plant manager Jeffrey Bolton says the company started notifying employees on Wednesday, and the cuts will continue into 2009. Prior to the cuts, the plant employed 413 people.

The plant makes high-performance polymers commonly used in the automotive and home construction industries, which have both been badly hurt by the economic downturn.

It's the second round of bad news in a week for Marshall County. Last Friday, Columbian Chemical Co. announced that it will shut down its plant near Moundsville, putting 55 people out of work.

NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. -- Citing a bad economy that has led to decreased demand for its products, the Bayer MaterialSciences plant in New Martinsville plans to cut 70 jobs, about 17 percent of its work force.

Plant manager Jeffrey Bolton says the company started notifying employees on Wednesday, and the cuts will continue into 2009. Prior to the cuts, the plant employed 413 people.

The plant makes high-performance polymers commonly used in the automotive and home construction industries, which have both been badly hurt by the economic downturn.

It's the second round of bad news in a week for Marshall County. Last Friday, Columbian Chemical Co. announced that it will shut down its plant near Moundsville, putting 55 people out of work.