DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,226

COLUMBIAN ROPE COMPANY
GUNTOWN, MISSISSIPPI

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance, each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the Act must be met. It is determined in this case that all of the requirements have been met.
The investigation was initiated on October 15, 2001, in response to a petition filed on behalf of workers at Columbia Rope Company, Guntown, Mississippi. The workers were engaged in the production of rope.
Investigative findings revealed that sales, production and employment at the subject firm declined from 1999 to June, 2001.
Investigative findings also revealed that the company imported rope. The subject firm is closing on December 31, 2001.

The Department of Labor surveyed the major customers of the subject firm regarding their purchases of rope during the relevant period. The respondents indicated that they reduced purchases from the subject firm and increased imports of rope during the relevant period.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the investi-gation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles like
or directly competitive with rope, contributed importantly to the decline in sales or production and to the total or partial separation of workers of that firm. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers at Columbian Rope Company, Guntown, Mississippi, engaged in employment related to production of rope, who became totally or partially separated from employment on or after September 25, 2000 through two years from the date of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of December, 2001.



/s/ Linda G. Poole
______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance