The closure of Great Meadow Correctional Facility will result in 649 jobs being lost, which will have a negative spinoff effect.

The prison is the county’s largest employer, and the number of jobs lost represents 4.5% of all jobs in the county.

A study commissioned by Washington County concluded that in addition to the jobs at the prison, there will be the loss of another 2,149 jobs because of the loss of sales at local businesses, which will led to more positions cut.

In addition, correction officers are among the highest paid. Of the nearly 1,300 employers in Washington County, the average wage was around $60,000. Around 1,200 private sector firms paid an average wage of $52,000. A total of 95 public sector workers paid an average wage of $77,000. The four correctional institutions had an average wage of $139,000.

These higher-paying jobs result in more discretionary spending that contribute to the local economy.

The study also predicts that local schools will lose population. Whitehall and Granville could lose over 4% of their population and Fort Ann could lose up to 9%. 

The state announced in July that the prison would close Nov. 6.