Minnesota's Iron Range is bracing for an economic down turn when LTV Steel closes it's Hoyt Lake taconite mine in February. The company announced yesterday the plant is shutting down several months sooner than earlier announced, putting more than a thousand people out of work. Economists say the closing may strengthen Minnesota's six remaining taconite companies - but any benefits may be diminished by a softening national economy. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher reports: {The timing couldn't be worse for the workers of LTV Steel Mining, who expected another eight months on the job. Instead, the company's Iron Mine and taconite pellet production will end February 24th - with a few hundred workers staying on into the summer to ship pellet stockpiles. Laid off workers are faced with Christmas expenses and predictions of soaring winter heating bills.