Big Lots closes distribution center, leaving 379 central Ohioans jobless

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Big Lots will close its distribution center on the west side of Columbus by the end of October, leaving 379 people without jobs.

The Columbus-based company filed a notice to the city on Wednesday. The letter did not provide a reason for closing the distribution center at 300 Phillipi Rd. The company said the closure will be completed no later than the end of October. 

Franklin County Board of Commissioners President Kevin Boyce said this will have a big impact on the economy. 

"No matter how you look at that, that's a tragedy and unfortunate," Boyce said. "And we know there will be a negative impact."

Boyce said the news is disappointing because people not only rely on the center for products, they also rely on it for employment.

"All too often, we learn of those closures when they're happening or right before they're happening, as opposed to these institutions reaching out to us to say, 'How can we prevent this or what can we do to save this?' a year ago or six months ago," Boyce said.

Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce president, said he's seeing ebbs and flows in the Ohio economy right now, with layoffs at other major companies like Walmart and Family Dollar. However, Stivers said he is confident those effected by the layoffs will be able to find work quickly.

"Ohio's unemployment rate is still historically very low. It's at 4.5%," Stivers said. "And as we sit here today, there are more people or more open positions in Ohio than people on unemployment looking for work."

Stivers said Ohio's economy is growing, averaging about 50 people moving here each day. 

"There will always be some readjustments even in a growing economy, and announcements like this are sad and unfortunate but the good news is the overall trajectory in central Ohio is up," Stivers said. 

Two former employees said they were laid off Friday. They said they loved what they did and who they worked with, which makes the news sting even more. 

"It impacts the tax rolls. And so that's something that we look at as a county institution or any government institution," Boyce said. "But to the people who rely on Big Lots for a paycheck and they rely on that for the quality of life of their family."

But Stivers said there is a silver lining. 

"Central Ohio is a growing market," he said. "We're really lucky and we want to do everything we can to keep that growth going."

With each new day, the former employees said they're faced with new uncertainties. 

"You might have a savings or you might have other resources, it's still a devastating impact so our hearts go out to those families," Boyce said.

This all comes after the Columbus-based discount retail chain announced in August that it was shuttering several Ohio stores, among more than 300 locations that are closing amid speculation the company will file for bankruptcy. 

Anyone impacted by the layoffs can visit jfs.franklincountyohio.gov or omjcfc.org for resources.