N.E.W. announced Tuesday that it will close its customer service center in Hays on March 31. The closure will affect about 280 employees.

The company’s goal was to maintain a staffing level around 450, but was not able to find enough employees to keep the center operating at capacity.

N.E.W. is offering severance packages and will allow some employees to continue working for the company from home.

The service center opened in Hays in 2004. Hays Mayor Barbara Wasinger says she doesn’t want any business in the city to close, but as a business person she understands the decision. Wasinger says N.E.W. has been a good member of the community.