December 4, 2009

As Bob McDonnell faced the audience in Charlottesville, he said the local workers who have lost their jobs are on his mind. McDonnell continues to focus on one issue more than any other.

"Job creation. We will focus like a laser on that during the first months of the administration," said McDonnell.

The Governor-elect spoke at the Virginia Industry Leadership Forum at the Boar's Head Inn, hosted by the Virginia Manufacturers Association.

"We've had a lot of tough news in Virginia lately, particularly in the manufacturing sector with the tire plant in Scottsville and International Papers, and some others that have announced plans to either consolidate or retool or close jobs," said McDonnell.

When the Hyosung Tire Plant closes next month, more than 100 people in Scottsville will be jobless. McDonnell is ready to tackle the daunting task of putting those people back to work. He says he will be spending most or his time looking at the issue, the budget of Virginia, and what resources he can allocate to economic growth and development.

"We've laid detailed plans through the course of the campaign. I've already met with legislative leaders and asked for their cooperation to help make some of these investments, so we can create new jobs for those 100 people affected by this layoff," said McDonnell.

McDonnell says he is going to be increasing the role of the Lieutenant Governor, expecting him to take on new roles to help with job creation.

As the Hyosung plant workers countdown the days until paychecks stop coming, the struggle is all too familiar to McDonnell's audience, which is waiting to hear that help is on the way.

"I'm hopeful from the economic information we've received that we are hitting bottom, and my job is to be able to accelerate the pace of the recovery," said McDonnell.

The Hyosung workers and their family members are hoping McDonnell can hasten that recovery process.