Seven jobs from the state side of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will be moved to Chillicothe in a cost-saving effort.

“These people primarily process unemployment compensation claims,” Benjamin Johnson, spokesman for the Ohio DJFS, said. “These are state employees. This is not the county DJFS. This is not the office where people go for food, cash.”

That office is located at 1100 S. Seventh St. However the office that is being shut down is at the Workforce Development Center at 123 N. Third St.

“The vast majority of our services is provided by the county staff,” Johnson said. “The county agencies are the front door to our system. The exception is the unemployment compensation, which is directly with the state. You do so online or over the phone. You don’t apply in person. The unemployment compensation center processes claims. They do not offer in-person service. No one would have a reason to visit these offices.”

The entire consolidation, which will save a total of $2 million, affects 13 offices and is being done to minimize vacant office space. In the Ironton office there is 72 percent space that is not being used.

“Our lease calls for a certain amount of space and we are only filling less than 25 percent,” Johnson said.

The Ironton move will begin in this spring with all offices consolidated by the end of the year.