Virginia Business
American of Martinsville, a furniture manufacturer based in Martinsville, laid off 400 employees at its Redd Level plant in Henry County. The workers who
lost their jobs produced wood furniture that American will now secure from overseas production. Another 300 employees who made upholstered furniture will
remain on the job. American’s primary markets are the hospitality and heath-care industries. (The Roanoke Times)
The U.S. Department of Labor will reconsider its decision to deny retraining benefits to 150 former employees of Dan River Inc. The agency’s initial ruling
was based on the assumption that the workers were involved in production areas not covered by the federal retraining act. Dan River said the employees worked
in light manufacturing and the assembly of retail goods. (Danville Register & Bee)
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to award $15,000 in scholarships to 15 qualified applicants enrolled in technical training programs at Danville Community
College. The company seeks to train and employ more skilled mechanics, electricians and pipe fitters for its Danville plant, for which it recently announced
a major expansion. Goodyear plans to reserve nine of the 15 $1,000 awards for qualified family members of current company employees. (Danville Register &
Bee)
Stanley Furniture Co. Inc., a furniture manufacturer headquartered in Stanleytown, consolidated manufacturing operations in Lexington, N.C., and
Robbinsville, N.C., in a cost-control move that will mean the loss of 350 jobs in Lexington. The company is also eliminating vice president-level positions
in purchasing and human resources and transferring those functions to other managers. (Martinsville Bulletin)
The Virginia Tobacco Commission has approved nearly $9 million for two Southside energy projects. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Sustainable Energy Technology Center (SEnTeC) will receive $8 million for a 27,225-square-foot biofuels research building to be added to the institute
facility in Danville. In the second project, $873,745 will be used for the second phase of the Bioenergy/Bioproducts Demonstration Site Process Development
at Windy Acres Nursery in Gretna. (The Associated Press)
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