Joyce Blevins is a woman on a mission these days.
She's determined to acquire not only millions of dollars in grant money, but a site in which to establish a job training center that would benefit potentially hundreds of workers in the not-too-distant future.
Mrs. Blevins, the director of One Stop in Thomson, says she has run out of space to work and interview unemployed people seeking jobs in East Central Georgia. A new site would not only serve her office needs, but possibly provide the kind of room needed for a job training center that would certify workers to work at Georgia Power Company's Plant Vogtle, where two new nuclear reactors are planned.
"I need more room and I need it now," said Mrs. Blevins during a meeting with members of the Thomson-McDuffie Industrial Development Authority at the Thomson Depot last Wednesday.
Mrs. Blevins' state-funded office is located in one end of the old Kmart building, near the intersection of Washington and Harrison roads in Thomson. The building has become too small to meet the ever-growing needs of those seeking jobs, she said.
She pointed out that she has discussed the possibility of Augusta Technical College starting up some sort of job training program within the training center, too.
Mrs. Blevins said she had talked with Augusta Technical College President Terry Elam, but has not received word back from him on whether this is something they would like to become involved with.
"I think it would be a great idea if they did, personally," said Mrs. Blevins.
A portion of the old Thomson Company building, which was used as an office and shipping area, has been mentioned as the new site for One Stop, as well as the new training center.
Members of the Thomson-McDuffie Industrial Development Authority, including Director Mike Carrington, are supportive of Mrs. Blevins' ideas.
The only snag right now is finding ways to make it a reality -- something local officials hope to do within the next few days.
"We'd love to see One Stop and a new job training center in that building," said Mr. Carrington during an interview with The McDuffie Mirror . "That would be great for everybody -- especially this region of the state. And to have it located here in Thomson would make it that much more special."
