State Funds Sought for West Penn Layoff Help

After yesterday's announcement that the West Penn Allegheny Health System will drop 1500 employees, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl says Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are teaming up with the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board to secure $500,000 in state funds. Ravenstahl says that money will be used to help transition the workers into new employment.

The mayor says he's also concerned about the reuse of some empty facilities. He says the city is committed to helping Bloomfield get through this "tough time."

"Anytime you take 1500 employees out of an area, specifically a smaller neighborhood like Bloomfield, it's going to have an impact. It's going to be tough, but they'll survive," says Ravenstahl. "It's a strong-willed neighborhood with tough people there, and we'll be there to help them along the way."