CHAMPAIGN – Hobbico is cutting 37 full- and part-time positions in Champaign as a result of the economic downturn.

The distributor of radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters and other hobby products confirmed the cuts Thursday and said it's reducing seasonal help as well.

The company, based at 1608 Interstate Drive, C, employs about 650 people. It's the world's largest wholesale and retail distributor of radio-controlled airplanes, helicopters, boats, cars and accessories as well as general hobby products.

A Hobbico news release cited "the current economic climate and the possibility of a protracted recession" as reasons for the adjustments.

The announcement follows cuts in recent weeks by other area employers, including a 20 percent reduction in force at the Jeld-Wen window manufacturing plant in Rantoul and impending closures of the ACH Food Companies plant in Champaign and the Rogers in Rantoul auto dealership. Carle Foundation Hospital and Carle Clinic also announced some job cuts in the last month.

Hobbico was formed in 1986 when Clint Atkins combined two firms, Tower Hobbies and Great Planes Model Distributors, that he had acquired in 1984. In 2005, Hobbico became employee-owned through an employee stock-ownership plan, with Atkins remaining as chairman of Hobbico.

Besides its facilities in Champaign-Urbana, Hobbico has a distribution center in Reno, Nev.

As of Thursday, Hobbico indicated on its Web site it had only one job opening: a full-time electronic technician position with a two-year electronics degree preferred.