News release, Mar. 19, 2007B

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996

Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

March 19, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thurmond and Croker announce progress on new Georgia Department of Labor Career Center in Cedartown

ATLANTA State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and Polk County Commission Chairman Billy Croker jointly announced today that progress is being made on the new state-of-the-art Georgia Department of Labor Career Center in Cedartown. The new 8,000 square foot facility, which will serve Polk and Haralson counties, will be located at 262 North Park Blvd. It will replace the labor department office located at 321 West Ave., Suite H in Cedartown.

"We are working with Chairman Billy Croker and other local officials to provide one of the finest career centers in the state for employers and job seekers in Polk and Haralson counties," said Commissioner Thurmond. "And, in keeping with the transformation of career centers underway at the Georgia Department of Labor, there will be a wealth of services and technology available in one stateof-the-art facility. In Polk and Haralson counties, just like all across the state, we are working more closely with our workforce development partners to provide a competitive edge and better opportunities to Georgia's employers and employees alike."

Thurmond met recently in Atlanta with Croker and Cedartown City Manager James Stephens to discuss the construction of the new career center.

"I appreciate Commissioner Thurmond taking the time to brief James and me on the progress being made on the career center, as well as for his overall support of Polk and Haralson counties," Croker said. "The new career center will be a vital tool in our efforts to attract new business and industry and grow jobs in our counties. Also, the staff in our local career center do a great job serving people in our area and the new center will give them a fine facility in which to provide services to our folks."

The labor department staff and Richard Wittschiebe Hand, Architecture, Interiors and Planning of Atlanta are beginning the career center's design, a process that should be completed in about eight months. The construction process will be administered by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC).

Employers and job seekers who come to the new career center will be able to utilize all of the labor department's services, including employment, unemployment, vocational rehabilitation services, and services for the Workforce Investment Board (WIB). The career center will be in the unique position of being able to provide a full range of job search services to all citizens, including the disabled.

Also, the new career center will offer services to employers wishing to recruit and conduct on-site interviews. Office space, telephones, copiers, and faxes will be available in the business center. Training rooms and classrooms will be available for customer use.

NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685 CY-07-060