PotashCorp to invest in education, charities after Picadilly mine closure

Employee education, local charities, and businesses in transition are among those seeing the benefits of PotashCorp‘s Community Transition Fund.

The $5 million fund comes after PotashCorp announced the closure of their Picadilly mine last month. More than 400 jobs will be lost as a result of the closure.

READ MORE: PotashCorp mine closure has Sussex residents fearing worst about economy

In an update Wednesday, Potash has given some details on the allotment of the money, promising $3 million for training and education programs for employees in New Brunswick and their families.

Up to $7,500 of that money will be made available to each employee and immediate family members to help them get training from an accredited institution in the province. The company says it’s still in the process of selecting an organization to help deliver the program.

Up to $1 million will go toward helping charitable organizations in the area, and up to $1 million will help local businesses deal with the transition. More information on those allotments will be available in coming weeks.

READ MORE: Hundreds line up for opportunities at J.D. Irving job fair in Sussex

“Over recent weeks we have been consulting with employees and community leaders in New Brunswick to ensure the Community Transition Fund will have the greatest impact possible,” PCS Potash president Mark Fracchia said in a statement.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Over recent weeks we have been consulting with employees and community leaders in New Brunswick to ensure the Community Transition Fund will have the greatest impact possible," PCS Potash president Mark Fracchia said in a statement.

For more information, people can visit http://www.potashcorp.com/newbrunswick/, which PotashCorp will use to communicate more updates.