WAHPETON, N.D. (AP) - Officials of Imation Corp., which plans to close its floppy diskette plant here over the next two years, have agreed to work with state and local officials on phasing out the operation and finding a successor, Gov. John Hoeven says.

Hoeven held a briefing Thursday, after a three-hour meeting with Imation officials at the company's headquarters in Oakdale, Minn., the day before.

The company currently employs about 375 workers at the Wahpeton plant's three buildings, Hoeven said. Imation plans to cut about 60 jobs by the end of the year and about 70 by the end of 2009, he said. The rest of the work force will be eliminated by mid-2009.

Hoeven said Imation Chief Executive Officer Frank Russomanno agreed to set up a working group of senior company officials to work with North Dakota officials.

"We need his help to make a good transition here," Hoeven said.

A handful of Imation employees attended Hoeven's briefing Thursday. Donna Krogh, who has been working at the plant for more than 15 years, said she and others are worried about their jobs but most of them are "cautiously optimistic" that a new company can be found.