PITTSFIELD (AP) — A United Technologies Corp. company has announced that is closing a plant in Maine, costing the state about 300 jobs.

UTC Fire & Security announced Tuesday that its Pittsfield plant would close for good in March 2015, and the work shifted to three other company facilities, one in the U.S, and two overseas.

Jobs will begin to be phased out this fall.

Pittsfield Mayor Gary Jordan said he received a letter from the company saying there will be 100 jobs available for employees willing to relocate to North Carolina.

A spokeswoman for Connecticut-Based UTC said in a statement to the Kennebec Journal (http://bit.ly/1ekmNhX ) that the move is part of the company’s effort to “ensure continued competitiveness.”

The Pittsfield facility manufactures commercial fire products, including detectors, fire panels and signaling equipment.”