Last week's announcement by

Delta Air Lines that more than 13,000 positions would be cut by the end

of the year could have an enormous impact on Fayette County.

Delta will first ask for voluntary

leave from its employees, and then reevaluate the situation Nov. 1 to

determine how many involuntary cuts the company will have to make.

All of the cuts are supposed

to be completed by Dec. 31, Mullin said, and the employees who are separated

will have a chance to rejoin the airline at a later date if the fiscal

situation improves.

Once the cuts were announced,

the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority sprang

into action.

The two groups announced the

formation of Team Fayette.

Chamber President Elissa Hall

said the program was developed to assist displaced workers in locating

social services and employment outreach.

"Team Fayette has established

a hotline for local residents who have lost jobs due to these [Delta]

and future cutbacks. Citizens can call 770-461-9983 to get information

regarding everything from state programs, child care and consumer credit

assistance to health and medical counseling during the chamber's regular

business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m."

Development Authority Chairman

Chris Clark said the hotline has received a number of calls since last

Wednesday, but he expects activity to pick up after Nov. 1 when the mandatory

cuts are made at Delta.

Recent statistics indicate

that more than 10 percent of Delta's Atlanta workers live in Fayette,

and Clark said he also is working with leaders in other counties, such

as Clayton, to try and develop a regional approach to the situation.

Clark said he has also received

calls from numerous small business owners who are nervous about the cuts

and what impact they might have on their businesses.

He said he is telling the owners

that the severity of the cuts in Fayette won't be known for awhile. Once

the number of cuts are known, Team Fayette can try to offer assistance

for some of the business leaders who see their sales drop.

In the meantime, Clark is urging

residents and business leaders to stay calm.

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