Print edition: 
WICHITA — Cessna Aircraft will close its three Columbus, Ga., plants and in the next six to 24 months and move the work to plants in Independence and Mexico.
It also will move some subassembly work in Wichita at the same time, a move that will affect 175 jobs inWichita, Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said today.
The Columbus plants employ 315 people.
"Both are gradual transitions," Oliver said.
Oliver said the company hopes the Wichita employees whose jobs are affected will be moved to other jobs at Cessna.
The change is part of an effort to stay in front of global competition, Oliver said. "We need to continually attack costs and structure the business for predicted demand."
