By By Lisa Tindell
Escambia County commissioners are doing their part to help keep local workers local.
Georgia Pacific officials addressed the commission asking for their help in the start-up costs of a workforce development program in the region.
The South Alabama Workforce Development Council is part of a nine-region organization set forth in 2003, Daniel said. The start-up of a local program requires partial funding from local government entities.
GP Vice President of Operations Jeff Joyce said the program would be beneficial to area residents in many ways.
Counties included in Region 9 of the South Alabama Workforce Development Council are Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia, Conecuh, Monroe, Choctaw, Clarke and Washington.
Commission Chairman David Stokes said the relationship with industries; government officials and education will be an important one in the months and years ahead.
Commissioners voted unanimously to provide a letter of intent to the SAWDC to provide funding for start-up costs to the tune of $150,000.
Commissioner Larry White said the relationship of the county, current industry leaders and educators would be beneficial for the county as a whole for many years to come.
Stokes said the move to provide funding for the program is an investment in residents in the area.
In other business, the commission:
Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith offered thanks to the commission for their support of his department.
office,” Smith said. “The funds you have allocated and the sacrifices you have made help to upgrade and make our jail safe and set a high standard of safety.”