News Releases for June 2009
June 25, 2009
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Hoeven, State Officials Meet Thursday With JLG Employees And Management, Oakes Officials
State Will Work to Help Reemploy Workers, Find Tenant for Facility
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven was in Oakes today to meet with city officials, economic developers, and employees of JLG Industries, which manufactures aerial work platforms for commercial and military use.
The company announced last week that it will cease operations in Oakes on September 24, and has reduced operations in other locations around the country. Approximately 61 workers in North Dakota are affected. The company has laid off 53 percent of its worldwide workforce in the last 12 months owing to the global recession.
Hoeven was joined by North Dakota Commerce Commissioner Shane Goettle; Job Service North Dakota Director Maren Daley; Oakes Mayor Gary Opp; Oakes Enhancement Inc. (OEI) Vice Pres. Terry Dawson; JLG Plant Manager Colette Gross; and Chamber Representative Moe Bohannon. Other OEI directors and city officers also attended the meeting.
Daley discussed the procedure for the rapid response process, which brings JSND counselors onsite to assist workers with applications for unemployment insurance benefits. Goettle described the state's efforts to help secure a new tenant for the JLG facility.
"We will do all we can on the state level to get JLG employees over this hurdle and back on the job as soon as possible," Hoeven said. "Events like this show that although North Dakota's economy is generally strong, clearly we are not immune to the national recession. That's why it's so important to pursue aggressive economic development and stay ahead of the employment curve."
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