MCRAE, Ga. — McRae-Helena is a tight-knit community with roughly 7,500 people who call it home.
LaNora Hamilton says, "Pretty much everybody knows everybody. They know your mom, your aunts, on and on, and it really is a sense of community. People look out for each other."
Over the last 51 years, LaNora Hamilton has seen several family members go to work for the Husqvarna lawnmower plant.
When the plant shuts down, the whole town will feel the impact.
"Even if you didn't work there yourself, you know someone who did. You know someone who has been there for decades. That plant's success is all of our success," says Hamilton.
Last fall, Husqvarna said it planned to either sell or close the plant.
This spring, they said they couldn't line up a buyer, and the plant will close; putting 1,000 people out of work.
Paula Anderson, President of Telfair County's Chamber of Commerce, says small businesses downtown could feel the ripple effect.
"They could possibly have to let go of employees because they aren't doing as much business," says Anderson.
McRae-Helena Mayor Mike Young says the plant has hosted several job fairs.
Companies have stepped in from the local and state level to help ex-employees find new jobs.
He says the best way to take care of McRae-Helena during this loss is to put money back into its economy.
"As much as this is going to hurt, we can compensate that little bit by spending money at our local businesses," says Young.
As the loss starts to settle in, people say they're not giving up on their home.
"We are Telfair strong -- always have been, always will be. We will bounce back, we will," says Hamilton.
They believe that someday, a new company will call the plant and McRae-Helena home, too.
"Since 1965, someone has filled that building and provided jobs, and it's going to happen again," says Anderson.
The plant is currently letting people go gradually, and the company says it will close down officially on June 30th.