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Labor Opens New Job Center In Delta Junction

Mar. 12, 2002
No. 02-18

Job Center and Community Ready for Missile Defense Jobs

In anticipation of meeting job growth demands from the Fort Greely Missile Defense Test Project, the Alaska Job Center Network this week opened a new job center in Delta Junction.

"With missile defense construction imminent, it makes sense that we have a hands-on job center to help Delta residents impacted since 1997 by the Fort Greely base realignment and closure," said Ed Flanagan, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. "Contractors for the missile defense project are expected to meet hiring specifications and we intend to provide necessary services for any of the area's job opportunities," continued Flanagan.

Fort Greely, responsible for nearly 50 percent of Delta Junction's jobs during its full operation before the five-year base close/reuse process, has been selected as the national site for the Missile Defense Test Project, for which the Army Corps of Engineers will award the final multi-million dollar construction bid on April 12, 2002. The project is expected to result in 500-600 construction jobs in the area for the next three years. Five missile defense silos, a missile assembly building, an electrical substation and a control station at Fort Greely are among the Air Force Missile Defense Agency project specifications.

To meet the anticipated job expansion, the new Alaska Job Center in Delta Junction is staffed with one full-time position and equipped with state-of-the-art computer resources to provide full access to job search activities, including resume writing, interviewing and filling out job applications. Ms. Linda Blajeski will manage the new operation.

The Alaska Job Center Network, which operates 22 other job centers around the state, is administered by the Labor Department with partner agencies, community and non-profit organizations, and with policy direction set by state and local workforce investment boards and advisory groups.

The new Job Center's formation is in large part the result of the efforts and interest of local Delta Junction citizens, who were affected by the Fort Greely closure, forming a local advisory committee to get ready for missile defense job expansion. A formal open house is planned for the Delta Junction Job Center later this spring.

The new job center's address is Mile 269.1 Richardson Hwy, P.O. Box 766, Delta Junction, AK 99737-0766, and the main telephone number is (907) 895-3216.

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