Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Telephone (251) 937-7176 or

928-0860/943-5061 ext. 2222

FAX (251) 937-7285

Rick Zapata

Regional Extension Agent

Consumer Science & Personal Financial Management

April 19, 2011

There are some jobs returning to Baldwin and Mobile Counties, but these are often lower paying jobs compared with those jobs lost due to the oil spill and the poor economy of the last two years. Recently, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System has been providing shrimpers in Baldwin and Mobile Counties with small business training workshops. As a part of these workshops, the Extension System has formed an alliance with the Business Support Centers located in Gulf Shores and Bayou La Batre. There are now training funds available under the WIA (Workers Investment Act) training program to help in re-training of those who have been negatively affected by the BP Oil Spill. These are limited funds under a grant program and will not be here forever. The training programs are available through Faulkner Community College and Bishop State Community College. There are also other training agencies that can offer specific training programs to help those who become qualified to train for a Coast Guard approved Captains License training program.

Like most grant programs, to receive benefits the person must first become qualified, and that involves filling out the paperwork provided by the business support center. There are several career programs available that the qualified applicant can choose from. If the person does not have a high school diploma, the business center can help them get a GED certificate under this program. There is also another college program that is called “Work Keys” that can help a student determine any areas in their education abilities that need extra attention.

If you have been negatively affected by the BP Oil Spill, you can call the  Business Support Center at 251-824-2221 and ask them about the steps needed to qualify for training benefits. You will need to furnish them with a copy of your driver’s license and your social security card. It is an excellent time to re-train yourself for another occupation that may have more job opportunities in our area or outside of our area.

If you do become unemployed for any reason, go first to your area Career Center. They have counselors to help you get registered for unemployment and they can help you with developing a resume and show you how to do a job search on their job search computer network. Then sit down and make a list of all of your bills. Prioritize those bills that you must pay first, second and so forth. If there is not enough money to pay everyone, call creditors that you cannot pay and let them know what is happening. Sometimes the creditors can lower the payment and/or interest payments for a short period of time. There are also new federal programs to help the unemployed with mortgage assistance.

Once you have made a list of all of your bills, call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 251-602-0011 and make an appointment to see them. They will help you with your creditors and help you set up a budget to get through these difficult times. There are agencies, that you may have never used before you became unemployed, that may be of help to you now. The Community Action Agency and the Dept. of Human Resources have programs that can aid you while you are unemployed.

Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. This will enable you to develop a job search network. The network of family and friends that you develop can help you find another job must faster than searching for a job by yourself. If you have computer access, check on Craig’s List for a local listing of available jobs. You can check the directories listed by cities located within driving distance.

If you are interested in starting a small business, there will be a small business workshop at the Mobile Public Library on April 27th and 28th located at 5555 Grelot Road in Mobile.

Classes start at 9:00 a.m. each day. A “Budgeting to Get Debt Free Workshop” will be held each Wednesday in May from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Wesleyn Church in Magnolia Springs, 12233 Magnolia Springs Highway. There will be an “Estate Planning Workshop” at the Fairhope Public Library at 9:00 a.m. on May 26th.

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5061, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.