(Alamance County, N.C.) – Copland Industries will close its Burlington-based plant at the end of the year.

Workers at the Alamance County textile plant were notified of the decision Thursday.

Copland has been a fixture in the region’s economy since 1941. The textile maker blames increased costs and cheap imports from China. President James Copland said the company cannot compete with an “onslaught of ever-cheaper fabrics.”

Copland will pay its 200 workers through the end of December and will organize a job fair in an effort to help the employees find new positions. Copland also pledged to continue the company’s scholarship program until existing awards are completed.

Copland Fabrics is known for its manufactured cloth and curtains. At one time, Copland employed about 1,000 workers.