Pine Knot, KY -- U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers applauds Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for reversing the decision to close the Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center (CCC) and others across the country that were scheduled for termination in September. Congressman Rogers has actively worked to keep the facilities open since the unexpected decision to terminate and reorganize all 25 Job Corps CCCs was announced earlier this month by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Rogers sent a joint letter to USDA Secretary Perdue and DOL Secretary Acosta in opposition to the closures, requesting a new path forward to sustain the programs. During recent budget hearings, Rogers also cosponsored and supported amendments to key appropriations bills that prohibited the USDA and the DOL from eliminating the nine centers that were slated to close, including southern Kentucky's facility in Pine Knot. 

"From day one, we never received a clear explanation for the abrupt decision to close the Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. I've seen, first-hand, the value of these Job Corps CCC employees and the impact that these programs have on the at-risk youth they serve, not to mention, their important work to protect our national forests," said Congressman Rogers. "I applaud Sec. Perdue for reversing the decision and I look forward to working with this adminstration to find a sustainable path forward to improve operations and keep these centers open." 

The closures would have resulted in approximately 1,100 layoffs at Job Corps CCCs across the country.