Governor Kaine Announces the Opening of Coordinated Economic Relief Center in Galax

GALAX – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced the public opening of a Coordinated Economic Relief Center (CERC) in Galax, which will offer assistance to displaced workers affected by recent unexpected job losses.  The Governor was represented by Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk and Governor’s Workforce Advisor Daniel LeBlanc.

“When I signed the Economic Crisis Strike Force legislation into law back in March (see news release), we made a commitment to the people of this area,” Governor Kaine said. “We made it clear that my administration would do everything possible to make access to a wide range of assistance options and services available to displaced workers and their families. This new center in Galax is a critical piece of that effort.”

Over the past decade, the impact of foreign trade has hit Southside Virginia extremely hard through the loss of manufacturing jobs, with the City of Galax being one of the communities that has been most effected.

“Virginians have had to address the unintended consequences of the global economy with the best resources that we have at our disposal,” Secretary Gottschalk said. “We are excited about the Galax CERC’s potential to assist affected area workers in pursuit of new skill attainment and employment opportunities.”

“Governor Kaine has shown his continued commitment to Virginia communities that have met with unprecedented economic crises by activating the Economic Crisis Strike Force in Galax,” Workforce Advisor LeBlanc added. “His leadership on this issue has encouraged both public and private sector interests to come together as part of the potential solution to addressing these issues in a constructive way that gives Virginia working families a chance to retain a quality standard of living.”

The Galax CERC at the Willow Place Mall will be open Monday though Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The center can be reached toll-free at (866) 217-6715 or locally at (276) 236-2517. Over 20 public and private partners have been brought together by the Kaine administration to support the new site.

Those groups include:

• Virginia Employment Commission
• Workforce Investment Act - Dislocated Worker Program
• Department of Social Services – Carroll, Galax, and Grayson
• District III Senior Services
• Experience Works
• FAMIS-Child Health Insurance
• Grayson National Bank
• Job Corp, Mountain Shelter
• Mt. Rogers Health Dist.
• Mt. Rogers Regional Adult Education
• New River Valley Medical Assistance
• Rooftop of Virginia – CAP
• SHARE Virginia
• Twin Co. Regional Hospital
• VA Dept. of Veterans Services
• VA Dept. of Rehabilitative Services
• VA Dept. of Labor and Industry
• VA Division of Child Support Enforcement
• Wytheville Community College.

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