Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Workforce partners across the region are working to connect displaced employees from the planned closure of the Yokohama Tire Corporation facility in Salem with new job opportunities through a series of job fairs and support services.
According to Toni McLawhorn, business and development manager with Virginia Career Works, regional workforce organizations routinely coordinate efforts when businesses face layoffs or closures, bringing together partners to assist affected employees.
“Whenever there is a business in our region going through something like this, regardless of how big or small it may be, a group of our workforce partners comes together to hold meetings with the employees to share about our services and information they need to know,” McLawhorn said.
As part of that effort, the partners also organize job fairs to help workers find new employment. Those events are sometimes held at the employer’s location and other times at public venues such as the Salem Civic Center.
“The purpose of the event was to share employment opportunities with these folks — and others from the public who wished to attend — to try and help them get back to work as quickly as possible after their layoff becomes effective,” McLawhorn said.
She noted that many employees at Yokohama have worked there for years, and workforce partners hope to help them remain in the region rather than relocating for work.
The most recent job fair, held March 5, drew 157 attendees who officially signed in. A previous event on Feb. 17 had 134 people sign in.
McLawhorn emphasized that the job fairs are not hosted by the city itself but are part of a broader regional workforce initiative.
“I would like to clarify that this was not a job fair for the City of Salem,” she said. “This was a regional effort — part of a workforce team effort. The Salem Economic Development team was an integral part of it, of course, with Yokohama being located in the City of Salem.”
City officials say they continue to work with multiple partners to support employees affected by the plant’s closure.
“The City of Salem is actively engaged as a partner with Yokohama, along with regional, state and federal workforce partners, to support employees directly impacted by the planned closure of Yokohama’s Salem facility,” said Tommy Miller, the city’s director of economic development.
Looking ahead, Salem officials are also considering options for the property once the plant closes.
“With respect to the future of the property, Salem’s Office of Economic Development is evaluating a range of opportunities and will work closely with Yokohama to pursue a coordinated, strategic approach to marketing the site,” Miller said.
