RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) - A delegation from central Kentucky is heading to Washington, D.C. with plans to lobby to preserve jobs at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond.

Eight counties are taking part in the trip organized by Commerce Lexington. Eastern Kentucky University President Doug Whitlock and Vice President for public relations Marc Whitt also are making the trip.

Depot employees were informed Monday that the winding down of U.S. military operations in the Middle East was reducing demand for depot materials and could lead to layoffs at the facility.

Craig Williams, co-chair of the Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board, told the Richmond Register (http://bit.ly/MlRQhO) new jobs would be added at the depot's chemical activity as the facility's conventional operations could lose jobs.

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