County officials continue to express disappointment over a mattress company that will be closing its doors at the end of the year.

During the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors meeting, CEO Mark Geise said the closure of Serta Simmons Bedding in the town of Ellicott will take place in early December.

A total of 83 employees are expected to be laid off. Their earnings averaged between $19-$32 an hour.

Geise noted Serta Simmons is in the county’s Mason Industrial Park.

“We helped them 20 years ago with a PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) to build the facility. It’s very disappointing. It’s really a result of the corporate consolidation. They closed six or seven plants around the country,” he said.

Geise said that the building is currently being listed and they’ve already fielded calls from other industries interested in the property.

“We’re optimistic that building will get purchased and we will be right there to assist them,” he said.

Geise said a job fair will be held at Serta Simmons on Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“There’s at least a dozen companies that signed up that are very interested in those employees,” he said.

Geise noted there are a number of manufacturers in the county who are seeking employees.

County Executive PJ Wendel echoed Geise’s words of disappointment regarding the closure.

“This decision was made at the corporate level. Unfortunately, just like this and other closures, these decisions are made not in concert with the county,” Wendel said. “The IDA works best when you (IDA board members and employees) know what’s happening. If you’re kept in the dark, and at the 11th hour they make this announcement, what is the IDA supposed to do?”

Wendel said at no time did Serta Simmons approach the county seeking assistance.

“It’s unfortunate for all of us,” he said.

According to furnituretoday.com, in June, Serta closed a plant in California to optimize its manufacturing base. Serta opened the local plant in 2000 and, in 2002, Serta was recognized by the Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce for economic development in the region.