By Associated Press - Friday, December 8, 2017

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Department of Labor is beginning efforts to find new jobs for the 409 people who will be unemployed after a fiber glass company closes its plant in the northeast part of the state early next year.

Molded Fiber Glass announced Wednesday that it will close its Aberdeen plant no later than Feb. 15, the Aberdeen American News reported . Dan Thielsen, manager of the state Department of Labor office in Aberdeen, said that the workers projected to be laid-off is not a true reflection of the number of people who will be affected by the closure. He said it could easily be double that amount.

The state Labor Department will help laid-off employees find new jobs with comparable pay and benefits. Department staff will train company officials to register employees on the state job search system.

Thielsen said the goal is to keep as many workers in the Aberdeen area as possible. “We want to keep them here, and we want to keep Aberdeen strong,” he said.

Thielsen said the company will likely have a job fair for outgoing employees in January.

Molded Fiber Glass listed the expiring production tax credit and amendments to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as reasons for the closure of its plant.

___

Information from: Aberdeen American News, http://www.aberdeennews.com

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

Click to Read More and View Comments

Click to Hide