State Department of Labor offers more training funding for Climax Manufacturing workers

LOWVILLE — The New York State Department of Labor has announced that up to $125,000 of discretionary employment and training funding has been awarded to the Jefferson-Lewis Local Workforce Development Board.

This award will further assist workers affected by this spring’s plant shutdown at Climax Manufacturing Co. in Lowville, according to a Department of Labor news release.

Climax, which produced retail and food boxes, went out of business in early April, eliminating nearly 160 jobs.

“We never want to see a business shut its doors. It’s important for workers to know that when closings do happen, the Department of Labor will assist them wherever and however possible,” State Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in the release.

Upon receiving notice of the Climax Manufacturing closing, the department said it dispatched rapid response team members to assist employees during their time of transition. Employees received career planning and job-placement services, and were connected with training providers, when necessary.

The $125,000 in additional funding will ensure that workers in need of retraining are connected to the services they require, the department contended.

Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com