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Lufkin Daily News: Happy (Job) Hunting: Despite Country's Economic Downturn, East Texas Job Fair Gives Hope to Hundreds with More than 49 Employers and 1,000 Positions Available

Monday June 01, 2009
 
By STEVEN ALFORD
The Lufkin Daily News
Monday, June 01, 2009
 
 
Though the country may be in the midst of a downturn, it doesn't mean there aren't a lot of people willing to work.

That was evident Monday morning as hundreds of hopeful faces took part in the 2009 East Texas Job Fair at First Baptist Church in Lufkin. Hosted by U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) and several local organizations, the event was a chance for those looking for work to come face-to-face with those offering it.

 

"We've had a terrific turnout today with over 49 employers and 1,000 jobs available," Gohmert said. "We're real pleased with how everything has been going. If we can get jobs for just some of the people here today then it has been a success."

 

A wide array of positions were available to job seekers, ranging from city and county office, to local retailers, communications companies and even the armed forces. Lufkin's job fair is one of two that Gohmert is hosting, with a second East Texas Job Fair scheduled to be held in Longview on Monday, June 29.

 

Tarah Peace of ETech, Inc., a Texas outsourcing firm, was one of many employers trying to reach prospective hirees and said she was met with a lot of enthusiasm at Monday's fair.

 

"I've come in contact with a lot of people today who want to work," Peace said. "Our company has over 100 jobs to offer and there's been a lot of interest so far. It's been even better than what we expected."

 

The range of people looking for work varied, with many different ethnic groups and generations represented. From high schoolers looking for a summer job to young professionals to older applicants who may have recently been laid off, they all had the same goal.
 
"It's hard to go from making a large salary to looking for lower-paying jobs to pay the same bills," said Brandon Renfro, who has recently had to look for a new job.
"I don't know if I've found the right one yet, but there's a lot of helpful people here and they are all trying to get people work."
 
Other contributors to the fair include the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and the Lufkin/Angelina County Economic Development and Workforce Solutions of Angelina County.
 
For more information on this and upcoming job fairs, call (866) 535-6302 or visit www.gohmert.house.gov/