Local governments and businesses will benefit from some extra help, courtesy of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARIA) and the East Central Georgia Workforce Investment (ECGWI) program which oversees 20 One-Stop Workforce Centers in the state.

Created in 2000, the Workforce Investment program recently received a shot in the arm from stimulus funds.

Carrie Lokey, a business development specialist at the Workforce Development Center in Thomson, and contract representative Sue Richards gave a presentation on the agency's new Work Experience program at the regular meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, May 4, at City Hall.

According to Lokey, "Work Experience is one of the ways stimulus money is helping businesses get the workers they need but cannot afford. The program allows a business owner to hire an employee for 90 days at no cost to him, with the understanding that when the 90 days are up, he will do his best to hire the employee."

She went on to note that in some cases, the contract can be extended another 90 days.

The Workforce Development Center will pay the employee's salary and Worker's Compensation for the duration of the contract. The positions can be part time or full time.

"We will pay for a minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 40 hours," said Lokey. "We don't pay overtime."

Other requirements of the Work Experience program include:

.. The position must not be seasonal, intermittent, temporary, or commission only.

.. Wages must be minimum wage or higher.

.. The employer must not have imposed layoffs, occurring through no fault of the employees in the past 12 months. (For example, downsizing.)

.. The employer cannot replace an existing employee with a Work Experience employee.

.. No employee can work for or be supervised by a relative.

.. All men, age 18 and older, must be registered with Selective Services.

"The Work Experience program is designed to get people back to work," said Lokey. "We are working primarily with employees who have been laid off and are out of work or working part time and need full-time work."

Candidates for the program have to take a WorkKeys test, which is designed to ensure that each individual has the basic skills required for any position, the business development specialist explained.

"The employer may have someone in mind he wants to hire or the Workforce Development Center can provide him with qualified candidates — it will be the business owner's decision as to whom to hire," she continued.

"Once in a position, the employee will receive a pay check directly from the Workforce Development Center; however, each individual will be subject to the rules and regulations of the company he works for."

At the conclusion of Lokey's presentation, the council voted to enroll in the Work Experience program.

The program is available for all types of businesses and governmental agencies. Employers and prospective employees should call 1-706-595- 8941 for more information about the initiative.

In other business, the mayor and council:

.. Heard Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff read a thank-you note from the water department employee Roger Dowell whose sister passed away recently.

.. Heard the Water Department Report given by Mayor Biggerstaff in the absence of Water Superintendent Stanley Parton.

The mayor reported that water production increased again last month, climbing from 11.74 mg (million gallons) in March to 12.55 mg in April.

He went on to say, "The lake level is fluctuating between 326 and 326.5 feet, which is a comfortable level for water treatment and recreation."

In other items of information, Mayor Biggerstaff indicated that the city now has 137 fire hydrants as a result of recent upgrades to the water distribution system.

.. Heard the Zoning Department Report given by Zoning Administrator David Griffin, who said his office issued seven building permits, one demolition permit, and one moving permit during the month of April for a total of $842. The zoning administrator also conducted 13 building inspections, approved one plat, and issued six certificates of occupancy.

In a related matter, the council voted to purchase a disk for $290.50 that contains the new 2009 I-Codes (building codes, mechanical codes, plumbing codes, fire codes, and so forth).

.. Voted to grant a conditional use request that will allow Revs. Frankie and Kathy Jones to build Freedom Ministries Church at 240 Lumber Street.

.. Voted to rezone property at 571 Elm Street from P-1 (Professional) to R-1 (Residential) at the request of Mike McCombs. All of the surrounding properties are zoned residential.

.. Heard the Police Department Report given by Chief Jim Justice, who indicated that his office received 258 calls for service last month and dealt with a variety of offenses including affrays, aggravated assault, and aggravated child molestation.

"We've been very busy," he said.

.. Voted to grant an alcoholic beverage license continuance for the Fast Times Convenience Store to Willie Murray. Murray and David Dawkins will be taking over the business as of June 1.

.. Voted to designate the area in front of the drive-through window at City Hall a "five-minute only" parking zone, effective immediately. The rule will be enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

.. Heard Mayor Biggerstaff report on the county-wide clean-up day held Saturday, April 18. "We picked up 36 20-pound bags of trash in the city alone," he said.

The mayor pointed out that he also found $51 in cash. "There's money in trash," he stated.

In closing, Biggerstaff encouraged the public to take part in future cleanup initiatives. "We have a lot of trash out there."

.. Voted to enter into executive session to discuss one personnel matter and one legal item. No action was taken upon returning to regular session.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, June 1, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.