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Fenton has been producing beautiful glass since 1905. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers Archives and Premier Auction Center.

Bad economy blamed for Fenton Art Glass laying off 23 workers

Fenton has been producing beautiful glass since 1905. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers Archives and Premier Auction Center.
Fenton has been producing beautiful glass since 1905. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers Archives and Premier Auction Center.
WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Fenton Art Glass is blaming the economy for the layoffs of 23 employees.

Friday’s move leaves about 80 workers with the Williamstown hand-blown glassmaker.

Fenton President George Fenton told the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that many of the laid-off workers had been with the company more than 30 years. But he says the move was necessary to keep the company that was founded in 1905 in business.

The company has struggled with rising costs, competition and the recent recession. It has furloughed workers several times and in 2007 was on the brink of closing. Last year the Wood County sheriff sued Fenton Art Glass to collect more than $385,000 in back personal property taxes.

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Information from: The Parkersburg News,

http://www.newsandsentinel.com

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

AP-CS-02-28-11 0331EST