The news this week that Shaw Industries will be eliminating 200 jobs over the next month or so is a real blow to the local economy, especially when combined with previous job losses over the last year or two. We can only hope and pray that this is the last such announcement and that the stories about the recession ending are true.
It is easy to blame local officials when problems arise, but Tifton is certainly not the only community experiencing job losses — and turning on each other will not help. But it is also important not to deny reality or try to sugar-coat what is happening.
According to the press release sent out by Shaw, the company will make an effort to match employees with available jobs at other Shaw locations and is also contacting regional employers who might be able to help laid-off workers. The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce, Moultrie Tech, the Georgia Economic Development Council, the Tiftarea Human Resources Council and local temporary employment agencies are part of a “First Focus Crisis Team” that was slated to meet Friday.
As Chamber President and CEO Brad Day said, each of the jobs lost represents a family or individual who will be personally affected.
Congratulations to Bob Reinhardt, who received the John B. Prince III Distinguished Service Award from Tift Regional Medical Center this week.
Mr. Reinhardt has spent more than 35 years as legal counsel for the hospital and was also a hospital authority trustee for 12 years. The award, named for Tift County Hospital Authority Chairman John Prince, is given to “a longstanding associate of TRMC who is also an established leader in the community, using their influence to enhance the mission of the hospital,” and that description would certainly fit Mr. Reinhardt.
Chamber events and ribbons cuttings for November: Ribbon cutting and dedication of the newly renovated public library, 3 p.m. today at the front entrance on Love Avenue; ribbon cutting and grand re-opening, Wal-Mart, 7:30 a.m. Nov. 4; ribbon cutting and grand re-opening for Roberts and Co. Jewelers, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 4, 169 Love Ave.; Legislative Appreciation Breakfast, 8 a.m. Nov. 9, Chamber Conference Room; ribbon cutting for Transitions Hair Salon, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12, 3317 Highway 82 West; ribbon cutting for Pearl Executive Shuttle, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 18, Chamber office; and Chamber monthly membership meeting, noon, Nov. 19.
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