INDIANAPOLIS -- In response to the recent layoffs at Indianapolis’ Carrier plant, Mayor Joe Hogsett announced Wednesday a program that would assist impacted employees financially and help them find new jobs.
After Carrier announced they were relocating 1,400 jobs from Indianapolis to Monterrey, Mexico, last year, Mayor Hogsett created the "Carrier Task Force" and announced that they would be utilizing the $1.2 million in tax incentives that were returned to the city from Carrier and their parent company, United Technologies, to create the “Mayor’s Carrier Fund” to assist affected workers.
Wednesday, Mayor Hogsett announced that fund would be part of a two-pronged approach that will utilize community organization and community sector partners to assist in the transitional process for the affected Carrier employees.
“This approach will help those workers get back on their feet as well as restore trust and vitality within the Indianapolis business community,” said Mayor Hogsett.
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The first part of that process will involve working with Employ Indy to administer the employee supplemental assistance fund.
As part of the fund, affected Carrier employees will be eligible to claim up to $1,000 for supportive services such as transportation, childcare, utility services and other individual needs.
Applications for that fund will be open immediately, and the funds are expected to be made available on October 1 for those who are approved. Employees may begin the formal application process by visiting the WorkOne West location at 3400 Lafayette Road. The details for the program can also be found at indycareerhub.org.
“By lessening the financial burden on our neighbors during this transition period, while incentivizing companies to hire these talented individuals, these resources will provide support for the short, and long-term success of our displaced workers and their families,” said Mayor Hogsett.
To receive the financial assistance, workers must be looking for either part-time or full-time employment.
Displaced Carrier workers eligible for assistance. The details for workers are at https://t.co/gXuraDuhRT .@rtv6 pic.twitter.com/GJYp6oThRj
— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) July 26, 2017
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The second part includes administering a hiring and retention program in the city that will provide local companies with incentives to hire and retain those Carrier employees.
Companies that hire and retain a displaced Carrier worker for at least one year, in a position that pays at least $16 per hour, will be eligible for up to $1,000 in incentives per employee. The incentives will supplement direct costs associated with hiring and onboarding that are not covered by Trade Adjustment Assistance.
“When employees are displaced from steady employment, we have a responsibility to leave no stone unturned to provide resources that will ease the financial and emotional obstacles they will face,” said City-County Council President Maggie Lewis. “The money allocated for the Carrier fund will provide much-needed assistance that will help affected employees with their job search and engage our business community in an innovative manner that is bound to produce meaningful jobs.”
Local businesses interested in the incentive program may email carrier@indy.gov, or contact DMD at 317-327-5355 or Develop Indy at 317-464-2218.
The city also launched a website last year for the Carrier Task Force that will provide information for both employees and employers.
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