Weirton officials come out against Workforce office closure

WEIRTON -- Area officials are speaking out against a plan which would permanently close the Workforce West Virginia office in Weirton, saying it would create additional obstacles for local residents in need of employment services.

Members of Weirton Council gathered in council chambers Thursday evening to sign a resolution expressing opposition to the closure of the Workforce office, currently located in the state office building in Municipal Plaza.

"I'm proud of our council," City Manager Mike Adams said. "We're not going to sit idly by."

The resolution is expected to be taken up for a formal vote during council's March 7 meeting. Reports have indicated state officials plan to close the Workforce office on March 11.

Workforce West Virginia administers unemployment benefits, as well as job training services, workforce information and a variety of veterans services.

Adams noted the Weirton Workforce office serves between 150 and 200 residents each month, with clients coming to Weirton from throughout Hancock and Brooke counties. The next closest Workforce office would be in Wheeling, which, Adams said, could mean traveling up to 50 miles for some individuals for whom transportation or computer access may not be available.

"This is not a Weirton issue," Adams said. "It's an upper Northern Panhandle issue."

Existing businesses make use of the Workforce services when looking to fill vacancies.

"They, too, will be impacted," Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh said.

The agency also has worked with local groups to organize job fairs within local communities.

Weirton officials noted the recent announcement of plans by Cleveland-Cliffs to shutter the Mountain State Carbon coke plant in Follansbee, leaving close to 300 residents seeking employment, as well as potential developments by the Frontier Group of Companies in Weirton as indicators of the continuing need for job services locally.

Adams said it was his understanding other officials in Hancock and Brooke counties also plan to join with Weirton's efforts.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)