Fargo to feel Microsoft job cuts

Some of Microsoft's 1,600 or so employees and contract workers in Fargo are losing their jobs, but the company won't say how many workers have been told they're being cut.

The Fargo operations focus on software development and customer service support. In July, Microsoft said it planned to eliminate 18,000 positions worldwide to cut costs. Republican North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven said then that no layoffs were expected in Fargo.

But a number of Fargo jobs are being eliminated, Microsoft senior director and Fargo site leader Don Morton said in a statement Thursday.

Employees have been made aware of the scheduled layoffs and a support program is in place, Morton added.

A company spokeswoman said this is the first time Fargo has been affected by the cost cutting initiative.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.