First job fair is a hit

According to the Texas Labor Market Review from the Texas Workforce Commission, Cass County posted some of the highest unemployment rates in the state at 7%. In July the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Journal-Sun decided to organize a job fair after talking to employers and seeing the help wanted signs around the community. On August 19, at the Mattie Lanier Richey Center our first combined job fair took place. Sixteen vendors including the newspaper set up books to speak to prospective employees. The event brought through a light steady stream of people and got a little busier at the end of the event.

It is difficult to say where the disconnect between employees and employers are here in Cass County. Some have pointed to the pandemic or the provisions the government has made for out-of-work employees during the outbreak. “Regardless of why,” says Shawn Larson, the publisher of the Cass County Citizens Journal-Sun, “it is important to try to connect the two groups together. We can make excuses on why there are open jobs and a high unemployment rate in our county, but let’s work together to find a solution.”

“I wonder if people realize how important people are to the community,” muses Larson. “We need all hands-on deck in such a crazy season. Without everyone working, no one will make or serve food in a timely fashion when we want to eat out; our wait times in life-threatening situations at health clinics will be unbearable; and the merchandise we need will be out of stock, at higher prices or no longer available,” continued Larson.

People who are concerned about losing their children’s healthcare through the state if they get a job should know that the Medicaid and Chip programs that they began to receive will continue to receive it through the pandemic regardless of their employment change. Moreover, many of the stimulus provisions like the Child Tax Credits and stimulus payments will continue to moderate and low-income workers.

At the job fair, the vendors shared that there are good-paying positions available. Many of them have made/allowed provisions to stay safer during the pandemic. One such vendor said there were 67 jobs available.

Aaron’s Furniture, Atlanta ISD, Cass County Citizens Journal-Sun, Community Services of Northeast Texas, CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital, ECI – Atlanta, TX, Express Employment Professionals, Focused Care of Linden, Genesis PrimeCare, H&R Block, Pilgrim’s, Red Mountain Hardwoods, Rigid Industries, Stanco Manufacturing, Texarkana, TX Police Department and Transcend Hospice all participated at the Job Fair.

Many jobs are still open after the event so vendors encourage people to visit their website, call them or come by to fill out an application.

Miranda Johnson, the director of the Atlanta City Development Corp. and president of the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce, was pleased with the event. “The job fair was great. We made note of several things we think we can do even better the next go-around, but overall, we received positive feedback from our participating employers and lots of jobs seekers stopped by!”

Larson concurred, “Though there were things we will work on to make the next one even better, I was pleased with the event.”

A portion of the vendor fees were donated to the Atlanta DECA Club. They do community service and compete in DECA competitions.

Special thanks to these young adults for helping set up the venue.