By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
If more Rowan residents lose their jobs, the county will likely provide extra money to agencies providing assistance.
County Manager Gary Page told the Rowan County Board of Commissioners a multitude of agencies in addition to the Department of Social Services now stand ready to assist those losing their jobs at Freightliner, Hanesbrands and other companies.
Assistance now available includes help with food, clothing, mortgage and rent payments.
While the Department of Social Services and the N.C. Employment Security Commission are the most visible agencies dealing with loss of jobs, there are many other state, county and nonprofit groups and agencies that help.
Page urged people who are laid off or facing layoffs to call 211 or visit the Web site 211.org. The 211 program operated by the United Way acts as a referral agency to tell people where and how to find assistance.
Page attended a meeting last week involving the United Way and many others involved in providing assistance. At this point, Page said, the agencies have funds available to provide help.
But he warned that if the economy worsens and more residents lose their jobs, commissioners may have to provide additional assistance.
Page noted the county has been through tough times and layoffs before.
He noted that in 2003, when Pillowtex shut down, county commissioners appropriated around $200,000, eventually allocating about $150,000 to the Department of Social Services over a two-year period. Around $25,000 of the special fund remains unspent.
Responding to a question from Vice Chairman Jon Barber, Page said all of the agencies’ budgets are headed toward being strained. “They will need added money,” Page said. “Like in ’03, the county stepped up with a contribution.”
Page advised commissioners the various agencies that provide assistance will meet Friday morning at the Rowan Rescue Squad on Julian Road to review and coordinate efforts.