The Wetzel-Tyler unemployment office will continue to operate from the New Martinsville Plaza until further notice.

Rosemary Guida, Northern Panhandle Workforce WV Investment director, said any efforts to secure a different worksite have fallen through at this point.

“We’re going to stay put where we are, but downsize,” she said. Training and placement services will now be centralized in Wheeling and Parkersburg.

What Guida is hoping will happen is another tenant will move in to share the 2,500-square foot space that was recently renovated.

“The business doesn’t have to be affiliated with us. We’re looking at 1,400-square feet remaining,” she said. “And that can be partitioned off. It would be a good business space for one to two to three people running a business.”

Due to budgetary cutbacks, the WorkForce Investment Board began seeking other locations to house their facility to save on rent. A deal had been developed with a location just outside of New Martinsville, but then fell through causing Guida and staff to step back and rethink their plans.

After much consideration, it was determined the employment agency would continue to reside in the same location until further notice because a suitable replacement site could not be found.

“As of right now we’ll be keeping our same hours. We haven’t heard anything different and nothing else has been discussed,” Guida said.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

If wishing to lease space from the existing office, or to donate space, contact Guida or Kelly Zelek, assistant director, at (304) 231-1170.