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Timeline emerges on Irvine Distribution Center closure

The Irvine Distribution Center.

Time marches toward the closure of the Irvine Distribution Center as additional details have emerged about the status of operations — and the employees — at the facility.

The Times Observer received a copy of a WARN — Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act — notification that was sent to state and local officials.

The notice came from senior counsel for BLST Operating Company, LLC, listed as the same address as the IDC.

That notice indicates that the closure of the facility is set for Aug. 3.

“This plan closure will affect,” the firm writes, “the entire facility and will result in the elimination of all facility positions” with a few exceptions — five positions will transfer to Blair’s office in Warren and two individuals, per the notice, have “expressed an intention to relocate” to the Eatonton, Ga. facility where operations are moving.

“The remaining 232 employees,” per the company, will be separated from employment unless additional employees transfer” to Georgia.

“The company began shifting inventory out of the facility on February 19, 2021 and will complete the process on August 24, 2021,” the notice explains. “Employee terminations for affected employees will process as inventory declines.”

A total of 51 employees were notified on Feb. 2 and their employment would end on April 5, while an additional 112 will see their employment end on May 3.

The notice states that remaining employees will see their employment terminate between May 4 and Aug. 24, with a minimum 60 days notice.

“The plant closure and associated employment action is expected to be permanent,” the notice continues.

In addition to the five positions that will remain — and the two who have expressed a willingness to relocate — the company has “encouraged all other affected employees to inquire about employment opportunities” in Georgia and suggest that relocation assistance may be available for some.

Jim Decker, president/CEO of the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry, told the Times Observer back in December that the Chamber will be “coordinating local and regional job fairs” to help those individuals find new positions and has “provided information describing the property in Irvine to several commercial real estate management firms” in order to “provide any prospective buyer of the property required information regarding local workforce availability as well as coordinating any available incentive packages from the Commonwealth.”

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