Chamber Statement on Design Group Americas’ WARN Notice
Chris Berleth, President, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
“On behalf of the membership of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, our hearts go out to the many people impacted by the recent announcement by Design Group Americas and their issuance of the WARN Notice to employees. There is no doubt that Berwick Offray, through Design Group Americas and its lineage of predecessor companies, is a significant part of our community, and many employees who have been working there for decades have been impacted.
In the hours since the announcement, the Chamber has been in touch with local leaders who mobilize rapid response resources to aid workers through difficult times just like this. The community is poised to help, through resources at the PA CareerLink, the Berwick Area United Way, B.I.D.A., the Susquehanna Valley United Way, Central Susquehanna Opportunities (the Community Action Agency), and many more. The PA Department of Labor and Industry’s rapid response team is also mobilizing, and state resources to connect workers to unemployment compensation will be immediately available.
There is no joy in this announcement, but we do not lose hope – these impacted employees and their families are critical assets in our community. Our region is home to one of the strongest, best workforces in the world. We have every confidence that many local businesses will welcome those affected to their own companies with open arms. While we pause to grieve in this challenging time, we look with hope at the promises that have been made for what’s in store for our community, as new investment and job postings are being added daily, which will reshape Berwick, Salem Township, and beyond.”
For more resources, please contact:
PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties
421 Central Rd. Suite 2
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
570-387-6288
www.pacareerlink.pa.gov
Central Susquehanna Opportunities (Community Action Agency)
570-644-6575
https://www.csocares.org/
Berwick Area United Way
570-759-8203
https://berwickareauw.org/
Representative Robert Leadbeter
134 W. Front St. Suite 102
Berwick, PA 18603
570-759-8734