Long Island?s construction industry was hit with a blow Monday, as Home Depot announced it is cutting 7,000 jobs nationwide while it eliminates all of its Expo Design Center stores.

Forty-three Expo Design Centers, including ones in Westbury and Commack, will close. The job cuts mostly affect those who work at the design centers, not the main Home Depot stores.

?They have people here from human resources going over the plans and what we're going to do,? says Westbury store employee Billy Kiely. ?They're going to try to place us to other Home Depots. It?s a great company to work for.?

President Barack Obama talked about job losses from the White House Monday and addressed the need for ?swift, extraordinary action.? Many say they?re hopeful the new president can turn the economy around.

?We'll see what Obama can do for us, give him a little time, see if he can shape it up,? says Alan Deveau, of Bayville.

Also Monday, construction giant Caterpillar announced 5,000 more layoffs.