Economic bad times have hit yet another big regional employer: the Prescott, Ark., Firestone Building Products plant has announced 71 layoffs companywide.

The plant makes roofing materials and accessories.

“The downturn in the economy has gotten every industry, including ours in the construction business,” said Tina Gaines, public affairs director of Firestone Diversified Products, which oversees the Building Products line.

Gaines said the layoffs are an attempt to realign inventory levels with the demand of the products and the abundance of workforce. Lay...

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