By The Associated Press

OXFORD -- You don't have to tell a new store that's opening in the western Maine town of Oxford how hungry people are for jobs.

The Tractor Supply Store says it received 524 job applications for six full-time and nine part-time job openings. The farm and ranch supply will open March 7 on Route 26.

The Oxford Hills area has been hard hit as of late with job losses after the closure of several large manufacturing home businesses that cost the area more than 200 jobs.