First at five o'clock, July 18, 2008

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga.---The largest brick-making business in the country is temporarily closing a local plant, and officials say it's due to the housing slump.

"Certainly that's impacted not only our Boral Bricks business, but all of our competitors as well," said Dana Wilson, the vice president of supply chain process.

The demand for bricks is down about 50% from two years ago. It's left Boral Bricks making some tough decisions.

Across the nation they've been closing plants and Augusta is no different.

"We have close to 75 to 80 employees that are on layoff," said Wilson.

Just months ago, they had about 300 employees, but tough times led to the closing of one plant, leaving only two open.

"The decisions that we've had to make to balance that supply and demand have certainly impacted our employees," Wilson said.

There's some good news for those 80 who were laid off. Their plant is opening back up, so they'll have their jobs back.

But the day that plant re-opens, another will close, leaving about 80 other people unemployed. It's a process that may continue until things are looking up.

"How long will it be? It depends on many factors that are happening in the economy," said Wilson.

It leaves employees waiting for a change in the market. Many are left to draw unemployment, while they wait to see if they'll get their jobs back.

"We're hopeful that the housing market will return so that we can bring some of our folks back," said Wilson.

And if that happens, it'll pave the way for them to get their bricks back in order.

The company cannot say at this point, when they'll be able to run at full-staff.