Published: November 18, 2008 08:34 am      

ACM ready to assist laid off Bayliner workers

College may offer job fair

CUMBERLAND — Allegany College of Maryland is expecting to play a role in filling the need for resume writing and skills building in tough economic times.

Barb Beebe, vice president of Continuing Education and Community Services, address-ed the school’s board of trustees at its monthly meeting on Monday and said the more than 100 people who will lose their jobs at the U.S. Marine Bayliner plant between now and the end of the year remain “shell-shocked” over the situation. The Mexico Farms plant closure was announced last week.

“We’re committed to respond and help out where we can,” Beebe said.

Beebe expressed hope that many Bayliner employees would continue their education into the spring semester and finish a certificate program. Many employees had enrolled in an early morning technical writing class that was offered onsite.

“I’m just hoping to keep them motivated,” Beebe said.

Beebe said it’s possible Allegany College could coordinate a job fair for the employees.

“As you can imagine, the spirits there are kind of shocked,” she said of workers’ reactions to the news of the impending layoffs.

Kim Leonard, board chairman, suggested Beebe work closely with Matt Diaz, director of economic development for Allegany County government. It’s possible the college could assist in any initiatives Diaz has in mind, Leonard said.

Unfortunately, many of the workers to be laid off aren’t of the retirement age. Beebe said the average worker has been in place for 10 to 12 years. Even if they are offered the chance to relocate to another plant operated by the Illinois-based company, they might not want to do so.

Also at the meeting on Monday, Matt Brewer, of Bennett, Brewer and Associates, gave a brief update on the planned new college entrance. The new entrance is to be located closer to Interstate 68 and help relieve any traffic congestion by the new Western Maryland Health System Regional Medical Center on Willowbrook Road.

Instead of a roundabout, Brewer said the State Highway Administration is likely to approve a design that “could eventually be a signalized intersection.”

Brewer’s engineering firm in Frostburg is currently awaiting feedback from the SHA on the plan. Brewer then will implement that feedback into a plan ready for final approval.

The project is being funded by the SHA and Appalachian Regional Commission. Brewer said construction could begin as soon as 12 months from now.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.