Last day for dozens at Mead Westvaco Corp.

Friday marked the last day for dozens of employees at a Wilmington factory. Fifty-six employees at the Mead Westvaco Corporation said goodbye today.

This is the first of a series of layoffs. More employees will leave by October 15th, with the full factory shutting down by November 30th. In all, 105 employees will lose their jobs.

Nearby businesses said they could already see a noticeable drop in foot traffic in and out of their doors.

Mike Burton was there Friday hauling away scrap metal, including employee’s desks. “Well they call us up and they tell us they need to get rid of all their scap metal, so we come and get it,” he said.

The layoffs were announced earlier this year giving many employees enough time to line up new jobs or request transfers to other offices.

Those who lost their jobs were eligible for severance packages.