CLEVELAND -- Progressive Insurance confirmed Thursday that it eliminated 54 positions this week.

Public relations representative Susan Gallik said the layoffs were made from the commercial auto group and represent less than 5 percent of the department's staff.

Gallik said the cuts were necessary in light of the current downturn in the housing and construction industries and the prospects for small business growth.

She also said that more than half of the affected people have been offered other jobs within Progressive.