The American Red Cross will close its Midwest regional operation in Des Moines as part of a nationwide restructuring that will cut 1,000 employees.

Local Red Cross spokesman Kevin Teale said the move affects about 20 people here. “The regional office has about 30 employees,” he said. “Twenty in Des Moines and 10 out in the nine states of the region. Close to 80 percent of them have found new positions within the Red Cross or elsewhere.” The closing takes effect Friday.

The regional office has shared the headquarters of the Central Iowa chapter at 2116 Grand Ave. The Central Iowa chapter is not affected by the cost-cutting, Teale said. “I don’t believe this is going to impact services all that much,” he said. “

The Red Cross implemented the regional concept just four years ago, but now it is shutting down all eight regional offices. That accounts for 300 of the positions that will be lost, with the other 700 jobs to be cut at the national headquarters. “The Red Cross has been operating at a deficit, and as a nonprofit it can’t continue to do that,” Teale said. “Obviously, the economy is a bit tough.”