(Staff Photos/JULIA ROBERTS GOAD)
“Our real estate market is better in 2009 than it was in 2008,” said Pike County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hall.
That is how Kieth Casebolt described the news that over 1,000 jobs will be up for grabs at the Pike County Works career fair to be held at the East Kentucky Expo Center March 27.
A press conference was held Tuesday at the Expo Center, with several business leaders and Pike County Judge Executive Wayne T. Rutherford to announce the job fair.
The fair is a result of discussions at a town hall forum held in February to discuss the state of the county’s economy.
Pike County Chamber of Commerce Presdient Brad Hall, said those attending the forum learned the county’s economy is not facing the dire straits national media reports portray.
“Our banks are making loans,” Hall said “Our real estate market is better in 2009 than it was in 2008.”
The announcement follows what is becoming an issue in the media, namely how much effect negative reports have on the national economy. During a recent appearance on CNBC, billionaire businessman Warren Buffet said the economy had ‘fallen off a cliff’. Some experts say comments such as Buffets’ affect consumer spending, and thus have a negative effect on the economy.
But those speaking at the Expo Center said the economic picture in Pike County should not be painted with the same broad brush.
“Pike County is hiring,” Hall said. “We don’t want people to let the national media lead them to believe we don’t have jobs available or that ther recession is equally as aggressive in all parts of the economy.”
The US Bureau of Labor reported that the national level of unemployement in February rose to 8.1 percent. Kentucky has an unemployment rate of 7.2 prcent, while Pike County’s rate is 5.8 percent. The PCCC hopes the career fair will help decrease unemployment to 5 percent.
Judge Rutherford said the county’s positive image is attracting people from less fortunate parts of the country, such as Florida.
“I recently met a woman who had moved from Florida,” Rutherford said. “She told me she moved here because the internet said we have a growing economy. Pike County is growing, and she came here because of that growth.”
The job fair will offer job seekers positions at all levels of experience, backgrounds and education, VanHoose said.
“There will be something for everyone,” he said. “From minimun wage and entry level jobs to high paying positions. Jobs will be available tot hose who have a Masters Degree or a G.E.D.”
Hall said 40 companys have commmitted to the career fair.
“At least five of those companies are large, and we are still receiving commitments,” Hall said.
The economic impact of filling 1,000 jobs would be huge for the county. It could create over $25 million in wages and salaries, creating an economic stimulus of over $110 million.
“There is progress being made in the hills,” Casebolt said. “We are flourishing.”
The fair will be held Friday, March 27, at the East Kentucky Expo Center. Frp, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 606 432-5504 or visit www.pikecountychamber.org.
Post a Comment
