RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The Century Aluminum shutdown means a ripple effect in Ravenswood, everyone touched in a different way.

88-year-old Charles Dillon worked at the plant.

It wasn’t Century then, but either way the plant is clearly a cornerstone of the community.

“Back when I was working there, it was during the boom years, which was you know, they didn't pay attention to the money they just, it went in one hand, and out the other. That is the way it went,” Dillon said.

Dillon was a teenager during the depression, he’s seen this before, “they need to look forward instead of looking backward,” he said.

The plant has changed owners several times over the years, and there are still plenty of people like Mr. Dillon who feel like they've been through this before, say its only a matter of time before the plant is rescued again.

Dillon says this is an opportunity for the community to show everyone what their made of.

“Get down and dig for it, which is what everyone did during the depression,” Dillon said.

The plant says the shutdown with be complete February 20th.