GALLIPOLIS — The Gallia County Board of Commissioners received an update about an ongoing flood clean-up program being coordinated through the Gallia County Department of Job and Family Services and Gallia County Economic Development Office during a regular meeting on Thursday.

According to Gallia County Assistant Economic Development Director Jake Bodimer, 33 individuals are currently working in the program and are proceeding along Chickamauga Creek clearing debris from the area.

Reportedly, the participants began work near in the Hedgewood Drive area in Gallipolis and are currently removing debris from the creek near Spruce Street Extension, according to Bodimer.

In addition, Bodimer reported that approximately 20 individuals will begin training the week of November 7 and will be at the job site the following week.

The program, funded through a $2.2 million National Emergency Grant (NEG), employs dislocated and long-term unemployed individuals to clean debris from local creeks and streams — debris placed in the waterways as a result of spring flooding.

The economic development office is providing program management for the flood cleanup project and Gallia County Economic Development Director Melissa Clark reported that the program has been successful since applicants began work in mid-October.

“It seems to be a good crew of guys, and they have done a good job of cleaning for how far they’ve gone,” Clark said. “We haven’t had any issues with them and it’s a really good program.”

The program will continue through Aug. 31, 2012 and the department of job and family services will continually seek applicants to work in the program through that period.

According to Gallia County DJFS Director Dana Glassburn, the temporary workers are eligible only if they are dislocated workers or long-term unemployed individuals who have been laid-off or have been unemployed for 15 out of 26 weeks. Veterans have priority over non-veterans in the program

Applicants will be employed for up to six months, and wages range from $11 to $11.53 per hour. Participants will also have access to free training, protective clothing and applicable equipment.

In addition, participants that are currently receiving unemployment will have their benefits put on hold for the period of time in which they are working. When work within the program is completed, workers with unemployment claims will again begin to receive unemployment benefits for the period of time remaining on their claim. Food stamps, cash assistance and/or medical assistance through DJFS will not be affected by the program.

For more information on the flood clean-up program, contact the Gallia County DJFS Work Opportunity Center at (740) 446-3222, ext. 234 or 254.

In other action:

• The commission entered into executive session to discuss personal issues with DJFS Director Dana Glassburn to consider promotions and filling vacancies within the department of job and family services.
• The commission opened bids for a guardrail project through the Gallia County Engineer’s Office. Bids were received by: the Lake Erie Construction Company, Norwalk, Ohio, in the amount of $283,695; the MP Dory Company, Columbus, in the amount of $279,980; and PDK Construction of Pomeroy in the amount of $281,156. The bids were turned over the engineer’s office for review and recommendation.
• The commission approved a grant application in an Airport Capital Improvement Program. The program will provide funding for yearly improvements to the Gallia-Meigs Regional Airport for the fiscal years 2013-2022. The program provides grant funding for yearly improvements with a portion of funding provided through a local match. Reportedly, federal and state funding in the program is not certain and the county is not bound to participate in the program.