A source told WJAC-TV that DRS Technology laid off 90 people on Thursday. Employees arrived for work that day and received a letter informing them their position was terminated.

In October, DRS merged with an Italian manufacturing company, a move that was supposed to help the company land new, larger defense projects. However, those projects have not materialized, according to a company spokesperson.

Smart Savings: An Economic Survival Guide

One woman who was laid off on Thursday said, "I am upset. I just feel I just don't know which way to go now because I have had this job for so long and I don't know where to start now because I am so used to being in one place."

The woman said she received a severance package that included 14 weeks of pay and medical insurance. She said the layoff is permanent.

The news came as another local business, JWF Industries, also laid workers off.

Officials at JWF would not confirm the layoff, but a worker there sent WJAC-TV a copy of an inner-office memo that read, ""Due to a curtailment of work, we have determined that we do not have a need for your services and you will be laid off effective Feb. 12, 2009. This lay off is indefinite in nature and we cannot commit to a return date."

It was not immediately clear how many workers at JWF were laid off.

Stay with WJACTV.com and WJAC-TV News for continuing coverage.