1/12/2019 10:00 a.m.
Here's an update from an earlier story:
Officials are meeting Tuesday afternoon in Rhinelander to coordinate activities concerning the recent announcement that Petco would be closing much of the Drs. Foster and Smith facility within several weeks.
An earlier City of Rhinelander notice reported the meeting Tuesday was open to Petco employees.
We've been informed by one agency this is a coordination meeting only and will not be a public meeting or open to employees.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
KK
We have a recent release from Oneida County Economic Development Corporation late Friday.
The Oneida County Board of Supervisors, Oneida Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC), and the regional economic development corporation Grow North are partnering in a multi-agency effort to coordinate and provide assistance to the nearly 300 employees of Drs. Foster and Smith, a Petco company, who face layoffs in mid-March.
Petco’s decision to close the business was made public Wednesday morning. Affected employee assistance discussions began immediately. Layoffs are expected to occur during a two-week period commencing March 10, 2019. The list of 289 positions includes 101 customer service representatives, 36 pharmacy technicians, and 83 warehouse workers, as well as almost 30 employees with supervisory or managerial roles.
Live Aquaria operations will remain in Rhinelander.
We are working to coordinate efforts and resources from our state and local partners as part of a collaborative effort with Petco to ensure as great a level of support as possible for the employees and their families.
On Thursday we met with the leader of the Rapid Response Team for Workforce Development. Also, we have been in contact with Representative Rob Swearingen and Senator Tom Tiffany, both of whom are actively working to pull resources and information together.
The North Central Workforce Development (NCWD) Board has convened a “community response team” that consists of local elected officials, OCEDC, Grow North, Nicolet College, and representatives of other agencies. This community response team will assist in the coordination of all aspects of a Dislocated Worker-Rapid Response program.
The team will first meet on Tuesday, January 15. The Oneida County Board of Supervisors will discuss workforce support at the next county board meeting, also on Tuesday, January 15. Petco stated Wednesday that they will provide severance and transition support for the employees affected.
Tony Brothers, the Human Resource Director for the Rhinelander Petco, and his counter-part, Rich Johnson, are appreciative of this state- and community-support, and they will partner in coordinating efforts. Additionally, Petco has contracted an outside company to meet the needs of the employees, and we will work with this company as a partner.
