PotashCorp-Aurora reduced its work force by about 85 people — about 10 percent of current staffing levels — Tuesday, according to a company spokesman.

The reduction in employees leaves PotashCorp-Aurora with about 810 employees, leaving it as one of the largest employers in Beaufort County.

“This has been an emotional day here as we say goodbye to some of our valued employees,” said Ray McKeithan, manager for government and public affairs for PotashCorp-Aurora, on Tuesday. “We will provide them with severance packages that reflect their years of dedicated service. We will provide them with whatever assistance we can to help them transition.”

Terminated employees who earned bonuses will receive them, he noted.

McKeithan said “challenging times” resulted in the reduction of the work force at the company’s Aurora facilities, but the company remains committed to the safety of its employees and continued stewardship of the environment.

“Today is a difficult day for our employees, their families and for our company,” said Steve Beckel, PotashCorp-Aurora’s general manager. “These decisions are not made lightly, but in a challenging environment we must take steps to protect the sustainability of our operations, and we believe these changes help position PotashCorp Aurora to be globally competitive for the long term.”

A company-wide review of business and operations needs resulted in the changes at PotashCorp-Aurora. The changes will affect all three business segments — potash, phosphate and nitrogen — and are being made to enhance the company’s global position. At PotashCorp-Aurora, restructuring alternatives were identified that will allow the facility to operate more efficiently but not affect operational capability, according to the release.

“We are focused on ensuring this process is respectful of our employees and their families,” Beckel said. “We will work to help those affected through this challenging time. Our Aurora operation remains important to PotashCorp’s long-term plans and we remain committed to this community as well as to the state of North Carolina.”

As for the terminated employees, they have programs — aside from unemployment benefits — to help them deal with losing their jobs, said Neal Anderson, supervisor of the NCWorks office (formerly Employment Security Commission) in Washington.

NCWorks has activated its rapid-response team, which will work with the terminated employees to inform them of unemployment benefits and programs, including training options, to help them find other employment. NC Works, Beaufort County Community College and the Beaufort County Career Center (formerly JobLink) are part of that team.

For more information about the programs available to the terminated employees, call the Beaufort County Career Center at 252-946-3116.