What happens next with the 180 employees affected by CSX’s decision to shut down the locomotive shop, service center and car shop at its Corbin facility and how the decision will affect the community will begin to clarify Monday.
Melanie Cost, a spokesperson for CSX, said a benefits open house for the affected employees is being planned for Monday at The Corbin Center.
“This will be an opportunity for the employees to sit down with a person from CSX human resources who can walk the employee through their specific situation and answer any questions,” Cost said, adding the company is working with local and state entities such as the Kentucky Career Center, to further aid employees concerning education and job retraining opportunities.
“It is really important to us to present them with as many resources as possible,” Cost said. “We made a commitment to support them as much as possible.”
Melody Haynes, rapid response coordinator for the career center, said CSX is already doing much of what the career center would be doing to assist the displaced employees.
Given the skills of some of the displaced workers, Haynes said representatives from several companies have contacted the career center about getting resumes from some of those workers.
“We will work with the employees to see what other jobs are available to match their individual skill sets,” Haynes said, noting some of those jobs may require the employees to commute or possibly relocate.
In addition, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board operates a free job placement service tasked with helping experienced railroad workers who have lost their jobs to find new employment.
As to what will happen to the buildings, Cost said that decision has yet to be made.
CSX’s real estate team is in the process of evaluating the facilities to determine whether they may be put up for sale.
“They will look at the function of the buildings and the proximity to active part of the yard among other things,” Cost said, noting the process can take several weeks.
Should CSX elect not to sell the buildings, Cost said it is unknown what the future might hold for them.
“It is always a possibility the facilities could be reopened, but to be realistic, we don’t have plans to open the shops,” Cost said.
Shawn Huddleston, owner of Huddleston Real Estate said he has seen a few more houses come onto the market in Corbin, but noted the market has been extremely active this year.
“This is the third year I have been in business and this is the busiest year ever,” Huddleston said, adding that the housing market has recovered and even exceeded the level it had reached prior to the crash in 2008.
CSX officials announced the layoffs and closing of the facilities effective Oct. 20, citing the continued downturn in the coal market and the amount of traffic through the Corbin yard.
“We know, and deeply regret that the company’s reduced activity will make already difficult area economic conditions worse,” CSX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Ward stated.
“Going forward, CSX will continue to examine ways to size the coal business appropriately,” Ward added. “While the conditions are tough, coal accounts for roughly 30 percent of electrical generation in the U.S., and coal remains an important CSX market with active mines in both Central Appalachia and the Illinois Basis. That said, to assure investment and a compelling future for the company and its team, we simply have to direct resources and strategies to growth opportunities, especially domestic intermodal shipments and merchandise traffic.”
