WASHINGTON – Workers laid off by Ansewn Footwear in Bangor are now eligible for federal retraining assistance, according to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. The Bangor shoe and leather products manufacturer announced in February that it would close, idling 65 workers.

“Department of Labor certification of the application by the workers at these facilities assures that workers at Ansewn Footwear will have access to federal assistance to cover job training expenses and other costs,” said Snowe in a prepared statement released Tuesday. “[The] announcement confirms the impact of foreign competition on this industry, leading directly to these layoffs.”

Ansewn produced high-quality leather products, selling hand-sewn shoes and belts to top-line retailers such as L.L. Bean, Talbots and Nordstrom. The slowing economy, and particularly the influx of low-cost imported goods, helped contribute to a considerable decline in production from a mid-1980s high of about 2,200 pairs of shoes a day to just 60 pairs a day last fall. The company decided to lay off 35 workers last fall, when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused sales to plummet.

Remaining workers were notified of the company’s decision to close Feb. 27. Federal assistance is provided under the Trade Adjustment Assistance program, and covers job training and related expenses such as transportation for laid-off workers.