Job Fair

JEDCO plays match-maker, tries to find new positions for 600 lost jobs

LELAND ACKER
In an effort to keep jobs and employees in Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO) has scheduled a job fair from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Norman Activity Center at 526 E. Commerce St. in Jacksonville. The job fair was scheduled after the closings of the Astro Air and Alliance Data plants in Jacksonville, which will result in the layoffof more than 500 employees, Mandy Johnston, JEDCO economic development assistant, said.

Jacksonville Mayor Robert Haberle said that negotiations with two different companies, one a Fortune 500 business, are underway to fill the void of Alliance Data, which closed April 18. A job fair will be held next Tuesday.

"We're trying to get them employed in Jacksonville or as close as possible," she said. "We understand that a lot of the employees want to stay in Jacksonville and feel that we will be able to keep most of them here."

Mrs. Johnston said JEDCO usually sponsors a job and career fair in October, but the layoffs have prompted the need for an additional job fair in May.

"We are expecting a larger turnout for this job fair," she said. "We have had real good response from companies wanting to participate. We have also expanded the scope. Normally, it's a job fair, but this time, we have invited local junior colleges to participate and expanded the number of booths."

Mrs. Johnston said JEDCO is excited about the participation in this job fair.

"We have some that have never participated before," she said. "They see it as an opportunity to tap into the skilled employees who are ready to work."

Employers participating in the May 13 job fair include Rusk State Hospital, TDCJ, Wal-Mart, U.S. Army recruiting, Klein Products, and a new customer service company.

"That company is a workfrom home customer service provider. They are really excited about recruiting Alliance Data employees," she said. "The employees would be taking customer service calls at home and would need high-speed internet service."

Mrs. Johnston said booths are still available and can be reserved by calling JEDCO at (903) 586-2217. The job fair will be hosted by JEDCO and East Texas Workforce Solutions, and will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 at the Norman Activity Center, 526 Commerce St. in Jacksonville.