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Governor Kaine Deploys Economic Crisis Strike Force to Galax
– Appoints LeBlanc as Governor’s Workforce Advisor –

GALAX – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today signed legislation creating an Economic Crisis Strike Force to assist workers in communities hit by sudden economic dislocation or natural disaster. The Governor also ordered its immediate deployment to the City of Galax to assist workers displaced by job losses announced by three major employers within the past six months -- job losses that have impacted 10% of the city’s total workforce.

Economic Crisis Strike Force

House Bill 1499 (sponsored by Delegates Danny Marshall and Dwight Jones) and Senate Bill 535 (co-sponsored by Senators Charles Hawkins and Yvonne Miller) codifies the Strike Force concept pioneered by the administration of Governor Mark R. Warner. It provides for a coordinated response by state, local, non-profit, and faith-based agencies to allow displaced workers and their families to access programs that provide federal and state assistance, worker retraining, employment and educational opportunities. Since January 2002, CERCs established in Martinsville, Marion, Clarksville and South Boston have served more than 85,000 clients.

Parts of Southside and Southwest Virginia have experienced the loss of manufacturing jobs over the past decade due largely to the impact of foreign trade. Within the past six months, Galax has lost approximately 500 furniture industry jobs, and Sara Lee Branded Apparel announced the phase-out of 332 textile jobs at its Galax facility last week.

"Galax needs immediate action, and thanks to this legislation adopted by the 2006 General Assembly, that action begins today," Governor Kaine said. "Even as we speak, the Virginia Employment Commission is setting up a Coordinated Economic Relief Center (CERC) to make it easier for displaced workers to make the transition to new educational and employment opportunities. And I want members of this community to know that they have my personal commitment to continue to work hard every day to try to bring new jobs and new industry to this region."

The Governor was joined at today’s announcement by several of the region’s local elected officials and General Assembly representatives, as well as Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick O. Gottschalk and Virginia Employment Commission Director Dolores "Dee" Esser.

Once the CERC is established, services will include:

• Information on employment opportunities with local companies.
• Job Fairs
• Assistance from private and non-profit organizations
• Assistance from faith-based and mission-oriented organizations
• Intake for unemployment insurance claims (Virginia Employment Commission)
• Intake for job search (VEC)
• Job Search Assistance services (VEC)
• Monthly cash assistance payments (Department of Social Services)
• Child and family healthcare insurance (FAMIS, DSS)
• Assistance with emergency medical bills (DSS)
• Childcare assistance (DSS)
• Food Stamps (DSS)
• Cash payments for fuel assistance (DSS)
• Community college workforce training programs (Virginia Community College System)
• Workforce Investment Act services (federal program).

In addition, Governor Kaine announced that the Virginia Economic Development Partnership is working with the local Economic Development Authority on a marketing campaign designed to showcase the quality workforce available in Galax, Carroll County and Grayson County. A $10,000 state grant has been awarded to develop an Internet site promoting the economic development strengths of the region, including tourism, and Governor Kaine pledged the best efforts of a host of state agencies to aggressively market the Galax region to potential prospects.

Workforce Advisor Appointed

Governor Kaine today also announced the appointment of Daniel G. LeBlanc, former President of the Virginia AFL-CIO, as Senior Advisor to the Governor for Workforce, a key member of the Economic Crisis Strike Force team. In addition, LeBlanc will work to better coordinate the efficient delivery of services currently provided by dozens of workforce development programs administered by several state agencies.

"It is imperative that we continue to work to better organize the federal and state workforce development programs scattered across several Cabinet secretariats and many state agencies, and Danny LeBlanc is uniquely qualified to perform this important role," Governor Kaine said.

LeBlanc has served on the State Workforce Council since 1998, chairing several subcommittees, including one charged with establishing a blueprint and identifying Virginia’s workforce needs through the year 2012. He served on the Council’s executive committee, and has extensive experience in developing and implementing workforce training and business retention programs.

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