Gillette Offers Help to Laid Off Mine Workers

The City of Gillette is offering assistance to the nearly 700 workers who were affected by the closures of the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines in the wake of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Blackjewell, LLC, on Monday.

City of Gillette spokesman Geno Palazzari called the situation a shock but noted the town has been through similar times in the past.

In 2016, nearly 500 miners were laid off in the Gillette area. The town weathered that storm, Palazzari said.

"We are working with the state and county to make sure we are doing everything we can to help," according to a news from the city on Tuesday.

Palazzari said the city has been in touch with Foodbank of the Rockies for additional assistance.

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services will offer informational workshops covering unemployment, Workforce Center job services, training opportunities, health insurance, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Campbell County Prevention Center.

Workshops will be held at the Gillette College Tech Center, 3251 S. 4-J Road, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. Monday.

The Gillette Office of the Department of Workforce Services, 551 Running West Drive, will extend its hours to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. this week, and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. next week.

There will be a job fair at the Gillette College Tech Center from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 10.