Business
Mohawk closing Fort Oglethorpe plant
From Staff Reports
Calhoun-based Mohawk Industries will cut about 230 jobs when it closes a synthetic carpet yarn plant at 365 Patterson Ave. in Fort Oglethorpe by the end of November.
Like other floorcovering companies, Mohawk Industries has been hit hard by the economic slowdown, the slumping housing market and skyrocketing cost of oil. These factors have caused a reduced demand for floorcovering and led to job cuts throughout the industry. Earlier this year, Dalton-based Shaw Industries laid off 67 employees and closed its Ringgold carpet finishing department, Chattanooga-based Dixie Group announced that it would cut 8 percent of its 1,400-person work force, and Mohawk laid off 366 workers when the company closed a plant in Dahlonega.
Officials with Mohawk, the world’s largest floorcovering company, couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Michael Thurmond, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor, said the department will assist employees who are expected to lose their jobs.
“The layoff at Mohawk Industries in Fort Oglethorpe will create an unfortunate situation for the workers and their families,” Thurmond said. “Georgia Department of Labor staff will meet with them as soon as possible to explain the services available to help them get back to work as quickly as possible.”
The labor department provides a wide range of transitional services to laid-off workers. These include on-site employee information sessions describing services available through the Department of Labor, assistance in filing claims for unemployment compensation, re-employment services, access to retraining opportunities, skills assessment and correlation with available employment opportunities, special workshops on career options and resume writing and interviewing skills.
The department conducts job search workshops and career counseling, and provides resource centers in each office. Some job seekers may also be eligible for occupational/skills training, on-the-job training, General Education Development (GED) preparation and testing, and support services such as child care assistance, transportation assistance and meals while enrolled in full-time training.
Catoosa County is served by the department’s Northwest Georgia Career Center at 96 Stuart Road in Fort Oglethorpe. The phone number is (706) 861-1990. Affected workers may get assistance from any of the department’s 53 career centers statewide, including the one in Dalton at 1406 Chattanooga Ave. That phone number is (706) 272-2301.
- Business
-
-
Chamber to host census presentation
The Dalton-Whitfield Chamber of Commerce will host a “Wake Up … Whitfield” breakfast on Tuesday at the Dalton Golf and Country Club.
-
Beware of IRS’ 2010 “Dirty Dozen” tax scams
The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2010 “dirty dozen” list of tax scams, including schemes involving return preparer fraud, hiding income offshore and phishing.
-
Allstate recognizes Swanner
Allstate Insurance Co. has recognized Allstate exclusive agency owner Sue Swanner with the “Regional Champions” award for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitable business growth.
-
Mohawk looks at honor as challenge to improve
Company emphasizes “Continued Learning,” Mohawk University to introduce new programs.
-
Shaw Floors receives two awards
The company’s Shaw Anso nylon Consumer Brochure won a Gold ADDY Award and the 2008 Shaw Sustainability Report won a Silver ADDY Award.
-
Inside Insurance: So many motorcyclists, so hard to see
They come in many sizes. Their engine power can be low or super-high. There may be one or two riders per vehicle.
-
Walnut Avenue Chick-fil-A to reopen on Friday
There’s been a major renovation at the restaurant with an updated decor, new tables and chairs, fresh tile, upgraded restrooms and more.
-
Attorneys recognized in "super lawyers" magazine
William F. Jourdain and Jonathan L. Bledsoe of the Minor, Bell & Neal law firm in Dalton have been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of Georgia Super Lawyers magazine.
-
Shaw plant receives EPA designation
Shaw Industries Plant 95 in Dalton has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star designation, a national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection.
-
Metro area still losing jobs
Metro Dalton lost 2,900 jobs from January 2009 to January 2010, according to figures released Wednesday by the state labor department. The metro area includes Whitfield and Murray counties.
- More Business Headlines
-
Chamber to host census presentation
