COLUMBUS (WCMH) – Columbus Castings could close its doors for good if efforts to sell the foundry prove unsuccessful.

Workers were informed about the possibility on Wednesday and could be given formal notice as early as Thursday, human resources manager Nick Crandall told Columbus Business First.

Under the federal WARN act, employers with more than 100 workers must give 60-day notice before major layoffs or closings. Columbus Castings employs around 750 people.

Ryan Stein, who works as a “burner” at the plant, said he was disappointed by the news.

“It pays my bills, it feeds my kids, it’s pretty much my rock for everything I do in life,” he said.

The company is looking for a buyer but time is running short. In a letter to the City of Columbus, the company said it anticipates laying off its workers this summer and may be terminating operations in Columbus.

The announcement comes about a year and a half after Columbus Castings announced plans to hire an additional 550 people at the Parsons Avenue facility.

Mayor Michael Coleman and Governor John Kasich were on-hand when the expansion was announced in September 2014. Tax breaks were promised, and the plant became the first client of a job training program at the Reeb Avenue Center.

Columbus Director of Development Steve Schoeny told NBC4 that the city’s top priority now is the company’s employees.

“Making sure that we’re  ready that, if the plant does close, we’re ready to match that work force with available job opportunities,” Schoeny said.

The plant has been a fixture in the south side for more than 100 years.

Mike Blevins, who has lived near the plant for the past 47 years, says news of its possible demise is painful.

“It’s really gonna hurt this end of town because they spend money in this end of town, they cash checks in this end of town and they have families too to take care of,” Blevins said.

Columbus Castings has been operating in its current location since 1902 and was known for much of its history as Buckeye Steel.

Between 1908 and 1928, the foundry was run by Samuel Prescott Bush, the grandfather of President George H.W. Bush and great-grandfather of President George W. Bush.

In 2008, Protostar Partners bought the plant and renamed the company Columbus Castings.What others are clicking on: