Oct. 10, 2007. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Georgia Department of Labor schedules job fair for laid off workers in Fitzgerald 
ATLANTA  State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that the Georgia Department of Labor's Tifton Career Center will sponsor a job fair at Shaw Industries' Plant 8 in Fitzgerald for workers expected to be laid off in November. 
Officials of Shaw Industries have notified the state labor department that they plan to close the company's manufacturing plant at 169 Benjamin H. Hill Dr., East, in Fitzgerald, affecting all 556 workers. The job fair will be held on Friday, Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at the manufacturing facility. 
"This job fair is designed to bring employers who will be hiring together with Shaw Industries' employees who're expecting to be laid off and are looking for new jobs," said Commissioner Thurmond. "The closure of Plant 8 in Fitzgerald will create a difficult situation for the workers and the community, and I want the workers and their families to know they're not alone in dealing with this difficult situation. Our staff is working closely with company officials, as well as local business and political leaders, to determine how we can best assist the employees affected by the plant closure." 
The job fair will feature about 15 employers that will be hiring to fill current job openings. In addition, other employers will be discussing possible future employment opportunities with job seekers. 
Among the employers expected to participate in the event include: American Blanching, American Insulated Wire, BASF Sparks, Bold Corporation, COI Food Service Distribution, Heatcraft Refrigeration, Mediacom Communications, PCC Airfoils, Pilgrims Pride, Premium Waters, Schwan's Home Service, and Woodmen of the World. 
Employers who are hiring and interested in participating in the manufacturing job fair should contact Employment Marketing Representative (EMR) Mark Lewis at (229) 3863322, or e-mail him at Mark.Lewis@dol.state.ga.us 
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CY-07-363