Last week AM 1180 Chattooga Radio News reported about the plant closing in Kennsington, GA in Walker County that will leave over 50 people without jobs, yesterday State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond announced help for the laid off employees from the Dow-Riechold Chemical Plant.

Officials of Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex notified the state labor department that the company plans to close its manufacturing facility in Chickamauga leaving 57 workers without jobs.

"The layoff at Dow Reichhold is creating a difficult situation for the workers and their families", said Commissioner Thurmond, "and I want them to know they’re not alone in dealing with this problem. Our staff will work closely with the laid-off workers, company officials, and local elected officials in determining how to best assist the affected employees."

Thurmond said the labor department will provide a wide range of transitional services to laid-off workers. These options include: on-site employee information sessions describing services available through the Georgia 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.