SILVERTON, Ore. -- A manufactured housing factory in Silverton that employs 160 people is closing.

Champion Enterprises told the city it would shut down the Redman Housing plant by May 23rd.

The company's letter said closing was --quote-- "a business decision driven by significant housing and general economic market factors."

The plant has produced single-family houses and multifamily buildings, many of which have gone for military families at Fort Lewis, Washington.

The plant has employed as many as 300 people. The town has about 9,000 residents.

Pat O'Connor is an economist with the Oregon Employment Department. He says says some Oregon plants have trimmed jobs in response to slow sales -- perhaps a sign that prospective home buyers can't get loans.