Smaller businesses in Sidney are offering what jobs they have to help hundreds who have been laid off.

More than 250 people lost work from major employers Amphenol or MeadWestvaco.

Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney tells us what options are left in a smaller town.

The Village of Sidney is suffering big layoffs.

MeadWestvaco temporarily let go of 56 employees.

Amphenol cut 202 workers.

Kevin Butler worked at Amphenol as a machinist for more than a year.

The company manufactures electronic devices for aerospace and other industries.

It's out-sourcing work to Mexico and China.

"You've got 250 people here in town that are unemployed looking for work, ya know, so it's real tight." says Butler.

Butler's now considering going back to his former job as a truck driver.

But, he says long hours on the road puts a strain on his family.

"Employment signs are hard to find on Main Street, but there are opportunities if people want to stay and work in Sidney." says Action News Reporter Julianne Sweeney.

"There's enough business up here still that warrants that I could create another two jobs." says John Sacco.

Sacco owns "The Barber Shop".

He says being a barber is specialized profession, but with the right training, anyone can do it.

Sacco's looking to fill two positions as soon as possible.

"If there's fear out there, you better get over it, and you have to work where the work is." says Sacco.

"I'm very hopeful, but I'm not thinking it's going to happen right away. I think we're all going to be a long time out of Amphenol." says Butler.

Butler says he's hopeful that when there is an upturn in the economy, it will bring more jobs home to Sidney.

Layoffs at MeadWestvaco are temporary.

The company says office product sales are lower than they were last year at this time, due to a weakening economy.

It will call people back as needed.