So what do people in the Treasure Valley think about Micron's news? CBS 2 Eyewitness News wanted to hear from Micron employees but those we talked with were scared to talk on camera, worried they might actually be fired for it. But at BoDo it was a different story. The news definitely stirred a buzz.

"I think laying off people is a terrible thing," said Russell Metheny.

"It will affect the community, it will affect the retailers, you know because they're will be less certainty and people don't make you know large purchases when there's uncertainty," Boise resident David Wali told CBS 2 Eyewitness News.

The news traveled fast.

"I was a little surprised," said Nampa resident Ruth Kropp.

Rumors of Micron lay offs have been flying for months but after Thursday those rumors seem a little more real and some people are worried.

"We have a friend that works there, just stated about six months ago, and we're hoping she stays," Sharon Robins told CBS 2 Eyewitness News.

"I don't have any family members that are employed there but it's a huge, it would be a big blow to our community," Kropp said.

This is the first time since 2003 the states largest private employer announced it's plans to let some employees go.

"Anytime there's lay off like this you think about it, about how it's going to affect you," said Wali.

Right now the information is limited. We don't know exactly when, where, or how many could be laid off. And while no one likes to hear those two words.

"I hope it doesn't happen and I hope they can find a way to keep it going," said Roberts.

Some have already found a silver lining.

"We tend to spawn a lot of companies when we do have these down sizing's, companies like extended system came about because of down sizing from Hewlett Packard," Wali told CBS 2 Eyewitness News.

Micron officials wouldn't pin down an exact date for the lay offs but they did say most likely during their fourth quarter. They are already almost three weeks into that quarter now.