McQuay, Invista and now Mohawk have all had layoffs, and all those former employees are looking for jobs. The Virginia Employment Commission has plans to help them find work.

Michelle Burnett with the Virginia Employment Commission says, "Pretty much it's just getting the word out to the employees about what is available. It can be a very intimidating time right now, not knowing what to expect. Some people have not had to look for a job in 20 years."

Cynthia Johnson was one of those who was laid off when Invista made its cuts.

Johnson says, "You never can give up. There's always an opportunity where you can find a job that is just for you, as opposed to being just a job seeker."

She believes that just showing up everyday and being proactive was how she finally landed her dream job.

"In my case, persistence did pay. I came in and I was game to get a job," says Johnson

Now Johnson works for the VEC, helping others do what she was doing not so long ago: find a job.

Johnson says, "Well, actually you have to have a goal in mind. And, if your goal is to get the job that you really feel comfortable doing, and feel like you are helping your employer as well as your self, then you will do the best job you can do."

While the commission knows times are still tough, it believes it can help make a difference.

Burnett says, "It doesn't change the fact that someone is getting laid off. No matter if it's five people or 500 people, we are still here to serve those people, and we will do that in the best capacity that we can, because everyone deserves the same opportunity."

The VEC plans to hold job training classes for those who will be laid off following Mohawk's closure.