Franklin residents are still facing a future of uncertainty after the largest employer in town announced it would be shutting down. Last year International
Paper told the town it was leaving, putting more than 1,000 people out of work.
Governor Bob McDonnell was in Franklin today, reassuring people that they are not being forgotten.
Mill workers at International Paper told Governor Bob McDonnell they don't know how they will get by when the mill shuts down in the spring - a rough transition for the workers. Nearly all of them have been at the mill over 20 years.
Teresa McCaskey tells Governor Bob McDonnell the mill workers need his help with special programs to help those who are being laid off from International Paper.
"Is there other programs you can put in act for us to help us?"
Governor Bob McDonnell was in Franklin to meet with International Paper officials, city leaders, and economic development officials. He wants to know how mill workers will transition and how he can help.
McDonnell said he planned to ask the General Assembly for more resources in the budget to help promote more economic development in the state, but mill workers like McCaskey need help before the mill shuts down completely in the spring.
"We are not going to have the income we had. You either are not going to be able to eat, buy essentials, you're not going to be able to pay the mortgage and we are going to lose our homes."
Teresa is an equipment inspector at the plant and has worked there for 23 years.
She says with unemployment, she will barely be able to pay her bills.
"Your household income, versus outgoing payments, bills, you are going to have $8 a month."
International Paper announced late last year it was shutting down. The first wave of layoffs began December 31 with about 166 million workers. The next wave will happen April 4. And David Johnson, an 18 year employee, is in search of another job.
"It is going to be tough, we don't know what we are going to do we are all kind of scared," Johnson said.
Out of the 1100 employees at Internatioinal Paper about 700 remain. And those remaining mill workers will be laid off between April and June.
Governor Bob McDonnell was in Franklin today, reassuring people that they are not being forgotten.
Mill workers at International Paper told Governor Bob McDonnell they don't know how they will get by when the mill shuts down in the spring - a rough transition for the workers. Nearly all of them have been at the mill over 20 years.
Teresa McCaskey tells Governor Bob McDonnell the mill workers need his help with special programs to help those who are being laid off from International Paper.
"Is there other programs you can put in act for us to help us?"
Governor Bob McDonnell was in Franklin to meet with International Paper officials, city leaders, and economic development officials. He wants to know how mill workers will transition and how he can help.
McDonnell said he planned to ask the General Assembly for more resources in the budget to help promote more economic development in the state, but mill workers like McCaskey need help before the mill shuts down completely in the spring.
"We are not going to have the income we had. You either are not going to be able to eat, buy essentials, you're not going to be able to pay the mortgage and we are going to lose our homes."
Teresa is an equipment inspector at the plant and has worked there for 23 years.
She says with unemployment, she will barely be able to pay her bills.
"Your household income, versus outgoing payments, bills, you are going to have $8 a month."
International Paper announced late last year it was shutting down. The first wave of layoffs began December 31 with about 166 million workers. The next wave will happen April 4. And David Johnson, an 18 year employee, is in search of another job.
"It is going to be tough, we don't know what we are going to do we are all kind of scared," Johnson said.
Out of the 1100 employees at Internatioinal Paper about 700 remain. And those remaining mill workers will be laid off between April and June.
