CLEVELAND -- A vital engine of the local economy has announced plans to cut back.

Ford Motors says it will begin plant closings and layoffs in January, and the decision could have its greatest impact in northeast Ohio, reported NewsChannel5.

Ford employs more than 10,000 people in Ohio, and 7,000 of those jobs are in the Cleveland area.

The company has not said how many or which plants will close, so until that announcement is made, everyone is at risk.

The Lima and Cleveland engine plants, amd the stamping plants in Walton Hills and Maumee are all in danger of feeling the effects.

Ford has already scheduled to close the Lorain plant Dec. 23

The only facility that may escape the budget ax is the assembly plant in Avon Lake.

The mayor of Brook Park, where an engine plant is located, said he is optimitic the plant will remain open because of big investments Ford recently made in the plant.

Gas prices are driving the decision to cut back: skyrocketing prices at the pump have obliterated SUV sales.

Ford has lost $284 million in three months.