Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Delta salaries add $330 million to Fayette economy

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@thecitizennews.com

As you get your weekly groceries, or take another shopping trip to the Fayette Pavilion or the Avenue in Peachtree City, look around at some of your fellow shoppers. They’re probably spending some of the $330 million that Delta Air Lines pumps into the local economy.

With bankruptcy rumors swirling in the winds on a daily basis, economic analysts are looking at what possible effects a Delta bankruptcy would have on the region.

Unquestionably, Fayette County would feel a huge blow since it has a large number of high-salaried workers making the trek every day to the airport.

Fayette County Development Authority Director Brian Cardoza recently found out how big the impact could be.

Cardoza discovered there are 3,562 Delta employees living in the county with an average salary of $92,829. But, Cardoza is optimistic even if the airline does declare bankruptcy.

“Even with all the talk of bankruptcy, there has not been mention of huge layoffs,” he said.

Cardoza has also been in constant contact with the Department of Labor about their Rapid Response program.

According to the department’s Web site, the program can

• Help with a job search.

• Provide labor market information.

• Offer seminars in interviewing, resume writing, salary negotiation, job application, computer use, career exploration, and customized topics;

• Give career assessment and counseling.

• Offer support in meeting financial and family needs ; and

• Provide easy access to coordinated services.

“They set this up after 9/11 as a resource for people downsized in several industries,” he said.

If layoffs did occur, Cardoza said he could see families moving into smaller homes and downsizing their quality of life.

Cardoza added that Fayette County’s largest private employer based inside the county is Panasonic, with nearly 1,100 workers.

“Delta has nearly three times that amount, so anything they do will have a huge impact on us.”

In addition, an unknown number of workers work for organizations that depend on doing business with Delta. Any Delta downturn likely would be amplified as it rippled out through related businesses.

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