DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-41,981

CAROLINA MILLS, INC.
PLANT #21 AND PLANT #24
GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Trade 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
eligibility 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 August 19, 2002, in
response to a petition filed by the company on behalf of workers
at Carolina Mills, Inc., Plant #21 and Plant #24, Gastonia, North
Carolina. The workers were engaged in employment related to the
production of spun synthetic yarn.
The investigation revealed that both plants have now
closed.
The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a survey of the
subject firm's major customers regarding their purchases of
synthetic yarn during 2000-2001 and January to September 2001-
2002. The survey revealed either an absolute increase in
imports, or an increased reliance on imports relative to subject
firm purchases, during the periods of the investigation.
A petition for NAFTA-Transitional Adjustment Assistance has
been filed on behalf of workers at the subject firm (NAFTA-6411).
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I conclude that increases of imports of articles
like or directly competitive with those produced by Carolina
Mills, Inc., Plant #21 and Plant #24, Gastonia, North Carolina,
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 Trade Act, I make the
following certification:



"All workers at Carolina Mills, Inc., Plant #21 and Plant
#24, Gastonia, North Carolina who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 19,
2001, 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 24th day of October 2002

/s/ Richard Church
________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance