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MARIETTA — The Energizer battery plant on Ohio 7 is being idled with its entire workforce laid off, officials said.

In a message to the newspaper, Jeremy Brooks, president of United Steelworkers Local 1-00639, described the positions as $35-an-hour “manufacturing jobs that this (area) definitely needs.”

To provide more information about the layoff process and other employment options, the union held a special meeting Monday with Washington County Job and Family Services and OhioMeansJobs.

Job and Family Services Director Flite Freimann said they wanted to help in any way they could.

“The local steel workers union reached out to Ohio Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, who directed them to us about what can be done to help,” he said.

Freimann said there were about 35 employees laid-off. He said the U.S. Department of Labor’s WARN Act requires 30 days advance notice of plant closings and mass layoffs involving 50 or more employees.

“Because there were 35 employees let go, they (the plant) weren’t required to give the 30 days notice,” said Freimann. “We spoke with the employees about how they could apply for unemployment benefits.”

Freimann said for at least five weeks, they made sure those who were laid off knew how to access unemployment and SNAP benefits during the time they needed to look for other jobs.

“Anytime people are laid off, we do have money for displaced workers,” he said.

Freimann said they offer options for those looking to change career directions and are in need of training. A few of the laid-off Energizer workers were interested in pursuing a new field.

Freimann said if five weeks go by and the workers haven’t returned to the workforce, JFS will start helping with additional job searching.

Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling said the plant has been around for a long time.

“I understand those were good-paying jobs,” he said. “We will try to get involved indirectly with those employees, and we’ll do our best to connect them with employment opportunities.”

Requests for comment from officials with Energizer were not returned by print deadline Friday. Brooks could not be reached for additional comment.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com