Viking Range Corp. has announced an additional 21 full-time employees have been laid off because of the poor economy.

These layoffs, along with 48 announced in April, bring the total number of full-time employees laid off at the Greenwood-based upscale appliance manufacturer to 69.

According to a written statement from Viking’s communications manager, Cary New, the downturn in the economy has been hard on all consumer goods sales, even luxury consumer products.

New says the situation is not likely to get better anytime soon, and a rehiring of the laid off workers isn’t expected.

Currently, Viking has 1,220 employees in its Greenwood operations. The company is Leflore County’s largest employer.