The Southwest Georgia Employer Committee and Department of Labor hosted an appreciation luncheon on Wednesday to honor local veterans and provide assistance to those who may be seeking employment.

Terry Cook, local veteran employment representative with DOL, said this was the first time they have held this event and he considered it a success. He estimated about 50 to 55 people attended.

Representatives from some of the area businesses were also available to give information to those who might be seeking employment. They were Home Depot, Stone’s, Provident Corrections, Ivey Funeral Home, BAIN, WIA and Miles Realty.

Kevin Miller, a representative of Labor Finders, an employment agency, is also a veteran of six years in the Army, having served in South Korea and Iraq. He was seeking experienced industrial workers.

Veteran David Clayton, who served in the Army in 1969 and 1970 in Vietnam, described himself as an unemployed crane operator, and said he was looking for something local.

Laquanda King Washington served in the U.S. Army from 1998 to 2007. She was on active duty from 1998 to 2003, then served with the 160th Military Police Battalion Reserve unit as a supply clerk in Iraq from January to November 2008. She too is unemployed and looking for work.

Reginald Freeman came with his family. He spent 8-1/2 years in active service with the U.S. Army and is a disabled veteran.

Cook said the event gave the employers an opportunity to talk informally with the veterans and arrange follow-up interviews. He indicated plans are to hold additional events at different times of the year.

Several local businesses donated either money or products to help make the event a success. They were Wal-Mart, Greg Calhoun, Winn-Dixie, Harveys, Coca-Cola, Southwest Georgia Oil, Family Bank, Quality Sign Company and The Meat House.

Three Rivers Credit expands membership

The board and staff of Three Rivers Credit Union announced the expansion of their field of membership to include all residents of Decatur County.

The Department of Banking and Finance recently approved their application for a community charter.

The credit union began in 1975 inside the Amoco Fabrics Company, Bainbridge Mills Division. It was under their sponsorship and exclusively served their employees. In 1993, the credit union moved into its own building on U.S. 27 North and had by that time expanded the field of membership to include Shaw Industries. Since that time, the credit union has added a number of select employee groups including American Fibers and Yarns, Pepi Food Services, The Post-Searchlight, Texpar Energy, City of Bainbridge, Lynch Systems, Steward Machine Company and John B. Sanfillipo & Sons Inc.

Services have recently been expanded to include online banking and bill payment services. The services already included all types of loans, drive-thru service, night deposit, certificates of deposit, Christmas Club, individual retirement accounts, debit cards, credit cards and ATM services. All savings accounts are fully insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. government agency.

The credit bureau is pleased to have Carolyn Funderburke join the staff. She brings extensive knowledge having served on the board of directors for 28 years.

There are two locations: 1515 Brinson Airbase Road, or 509 S. Scott St.

State revenues for October

Net revenue collections for October 2008 totaled $1,386,860,000 compared to $1,387,997,000 for October 2007, a decrease of $1,137,000 or 0.1 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date for fiscal year 2009 compared to fiscal year 2008 is 2.0 percent.