STANDISH, Mich. -- Earlier Wednesday, picketers lined up in front of an Arenac County prison as the community fights to keep their largest employer running.

The prison is one of several across Michigan slated to close in order to save the state some cash during a budget shortfall.

So far, the community has picketed, held candle-light vigils and posted signs of support across town.

Residents are hoping their persistence will pay off. Two inmates from the Standish Correctional Facility were released Thursday.

They finished serving their time and boarded an Indian Trails bus headed west down the highway.

This all occurred as the informational picket has happening in front of the prison.

Even though those inmates served their full time, the guards at the prison said Gov. Jennifer Granholm is releasing other inmates too soon.

More than 300 people are expected to lose their jobs when the prison closes its doors in August.

Greg Rood has worked at the Standish prison for eight and a half years and he also attended the informational picket Wednesday.

He thinks when the prison closes, he will be able to get another job in either Freeland or St. Louis, but because of bumping rights, he’ll take another guard's job.

The community leaders, business owners and guards said they will continue to hold peaceful protests three times per week until the state changes its direction on the prison’s closure.

Recently the governor offered California the chance to house prisoners at the Standish prison in exchange for a fee.

The Standish facility is the newest prison in the state and was built in 1990.