It appears the troubles in the automotive industry are catching up to us here in eastern Kentucky as a major automotive plant in Laurel County is laying off two dozen workers. But the news is not all bad for the local economy.

It's not good news for 24 Aisin Automotive employees now looking for work in this economy, but in the London-Laurel County area, there are some signs of life.

For a year and a half Angie Hammons has been looking for a job.

"The economy at this point is terrible ... I have never in my life seen anything like it," says Hammons.

Hammons says her years of retail, manufacturing and clerical work is just not enough to get a job.

"Before you could go in and get a job. Now, they just look at you and say we're cutting back," says Hammons.

Aisin Automotive Casting in London makes parts for cars, but the decrease in demand is just too much. The plant is laying off 24 salaried workers.

"I came in last Friday, worked about a half a shift and they called me into the office ... and told me my job had been extinct," says Victor McHargue.

McHargue is now bracing for hard times ahead.

"My family's gonna feel the effects of this ... losing the insurance ... we did have a good paying job here. I'm probably gonna end up losing everything i've got," says McHargue.

But there are some new jobs popping up in the area. Just today, Hazard Furniture opened a new store in London. It's at least the third ribbon cutting in the area this week.

"These kind of openings with their 12 - 15 jobs that they're bringing in ... that helps offset what we lost with aisin," says London Mayor Troy Rudder.

It's perhaps a sign the tough economic times won't last forever.

Aisin Automotive still remains one of the largest employers in Laurel County, where hundreds of workers are still on the job.