State Senator Jeff Mullis, (R-Chickamauga) was “shocked and surprised” to learn of the closure from Al Hutchison at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, who notified several local leaders on Thursday of the imminent plant closing.

“Our job now will be to do everything we can to find a replacement company to recruit to Walker County,” Mullis said.

Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, which Mullis heads up, is planning to work with the Georgia Department of Labor on a job fair for the displaced Blue Bird employees.

Bluebird announced last week that it would be closing it’s LaFayette Plant in August.

Read more: CatWalkChatt – Officials business community react to Blue Bird closing in LaFayette