Communications firm lays off 65 workers

PORTLAND – A communications company that recently won approval for a tax break contingent on the creation of jobs laid off 65 workers on Tuesday.

Scott Roberts, president and chief operating officer of Commtel, said the layoffs were necessary because the company has had difficulty getting funding from lenders for a $45 million data center. Commtel, a telephone company that is one of Maine’s largest Internet service providers, announced last week that it was postponing construction of the center in downtown Portland.

Fifty jobs will be cut in Portland and 15 will be cut in Winthrop. The workers included technical experts, clerical workers, sales and marketing specialists and support staff.