Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

		Scott McCallum     Governor State of Wisconsin

Tuesday, September 3, 2002
Contact:	Tim Roby, Governor’s Office (608) 266-8110 Chris Marschman (608) 261-6705

MADISON – Gov. Scott McCallum announced today that the Department of Workforce Development is working to continue job services despite damage to the Wisconsin Job Center building in Ladysmith.

The building that houses the Wisconsin Job Center in Ladysmith was among those that sustained major damage during yesterday’s tornado. It is not yet known for sure if the Job Center building is usable, though that likelihood, at least in the short-term, is slim. Agency officials are meeting with service providers today to secure a safe alternative site.

"My heart goes out to the many people who were injured as a result of this disaster, as well as to those who lost their homes or businesses," said Gov. McCallum, who toured damaged areas of Ladysmith this afternoon. "We are doing what we can to make sure that the people of Ladysmith and Rusk County can get their lives back in order quickly."

"The Department of Workforce Development is working hard to find an alternative site for the Job Center so we can continue to provide the services our customers need with as little disruption as possible," said Jennifer Alexander, secretary of the Department of Workforce Development.

Anyone who is out of work as a result of the storm may collect unemployment insurance provided they meet the normal eligibility criteria. Additional coverage may become available to individuals who would not normally be covered by unemployment insurance (the self-employed, including farmers, and those who cannot work due to an injury sustained in the storm) if the federal government declares Ladysmith a disaster area and disaster unemployment assistance (DUA) becomes available.

Claims for unemployment can be made by calling toll free (800) 822-5246 or on the Internet at http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/ui/.

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