PITTSFIELD (AP) – One of Maine’s last remaining woolen mills will close by the end of the month, leaving a small remaining work force without jobs.

Pittsfield Woolen Yarns, which at its peak employed 45 people working two shifts, has scaled back and only a skeleton crew remains.

Owner Greg Wright said the building and equipment will be sold after the last batch of fabric is shipped before the end of the month.

Two decades ago, more than 2,400 woolen mills were scattered throughout New England, but fewer than 175 remain today. In Maine, five woolen mills have shut down during the past decade.

, wiping out 2,000 weavers’ and spinners’ jobs.

AP-ES-09-11-03 0916EDT