EIGHTY FOUR — Officials at 84 Lumber met with the state Department of Community and Economic Development about debt financing after sales fell by about $1 billion last year.

The Washington County-based building materials giant has been hard hit by the slowdown in new home construction, which accounts for about 95 percent of 84 Lumber's business.

DCED spokesman Steve Weitzman said the company approached the agency about readjusting its debt. 84 Lumber spokesman Jeff Nobers said company officials have not been available to comment.

84 Lumber has 319 stores, down from 450 in 2006, and has laid off more than 100 people at its headquarters in Eighty Four.