Wilmington, Ohio (AP) -- The threat of job losses and tough economic times will greet Sarah Palin when the republican vice presidential candidate campaigns in southwest Ohio.

Palin is scheduled to speak at a rally Thursday in Wilmington, which is bracing for the potential loss of 8,000 jobs if DHL proceeds with plans to move work from the Wilmington Air Park.

Tony Olson, spokesman for a community group, says he hopes Palin's appearance is a sign that republican presidential candidate John McCain will fight to preserve the jobs.

DHL plans to hire United Parcel Service to replace ABX Air and ASTAR Air Cargo in transporting packages. That would mean much of the Wilmington work would go to a UPS facility in Louisville, KY.

Olson wants McCain and his democratic rival Barack Obama to pressure the government to stop the deal.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All rights Reserved.)