TALLADEGA —More than 230 job seekers filed into the Spring Street Recreation Center Friday during the first hour of a job fair sponsored by the Greater Talladega Area Chamber of Commerce, Talladega County Improvement Foundation and the Talladega County Economic Development Authority.The job fair was originally planned for just the 360 Georgia-Pacific employees who will lose their jobs on May 18 when the plant in Talladega closes. It was later decided to include other Talladega County residents who are unemployed or underemployed.
“The turnout is great,” Talladega County EDA executive director Calvin Miller said. “In the first 30 minutes there were over 150 applicants. One employer ran out of applications within an hour. We’d like to thank Georgia-Pacific for allowing their employees to have the day off to come to the job fair. The job fair wouldn’t have been the success that it is without that.”
The job fair was held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and will continue today from 9 a.m. to noon.
Miller said they originally expected between 300 and 400 people to attend the job fair. He said by 3:30 p.m. Friday, 378 people had already filled out applications.
Chamber director Heidi Edwards said she was happy the event was a success.
“People have been coming in at a steady rate,” she said. “We are just thrilled that the people are coming out. I think the vendors have been pleasantly surprised with the influx of individuals and the quality that these employees can offer to these companies. This has been a group effort between all of these agencies. Talladega County Economic Development has taken the ball and ran with it. All the chambers worked with them. The Education Coalition jumped on board and helped as well.”
Joe Duncan, president of Local 1522 of the United Steel Workers Union, has worked for Georgia-Pacific for 20 years.
“I’m very appreciative for the 20 odd years I’ve had with Georgia-Pacific and the 30 years I’ve lived in Talladega,” he said. “Georgia-Pacific has allowed many of the people to be able to raise a family and put their kids through college. It has allowed many of us to buy a house and make wise investments. We are very appreciative for the relationship we’ve had with them for the last 30 years.”
Willie Dark said he has worked for Georgia-Pacific for six months. He attended the job fair with his fiancée, Sherekkia Shatterwhite, who is also seeking a job.
“This job fair shows unity and that the community cares about the people,” Dark said. “I’m putting my trust in God and taking it one day at a time. I know He’ll make a way.”
Nine-year Georgia-Pacific employee Terence Tucker said he appreciates the people who organized the job fair for G-P employees and ever one else seeking a job.
“We’re really appreciative that we can get out and come to one place to fill out several applications at one time and know how to do interviews,” he said. “When Georgia-Pacific closes, it will greatly impact my family. We will lose our insurance benefits at the end of May. I just had a newborn three months ago. I really need the insurance benefits.”
Fifty businesses from Talladega County set up booths at the job fair, including: AbitibiBowater, Aerotek, Agrium Advanced Technologies, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Alabama Industries for the Blind, Alabama Power, American Plant Services, Avon, BAE Systems, Bama Driver Institute, BD Precision Manufacturing, Bowden Oil Company, Bridgewater Interiors, Central Alabama Community College’s Talladega Campus, Citizens Baptist Medical Center, CMC Steel, Edward Jones, Elwood Staffing, Farmers Insurance, Fleetwood Metal, Floyd and Beasley, Gulf Shore Assemblies/VOT, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, International Enterprises, J&M Tank Lines, Kelly Services, Lee Staffing Inc., Little Caesars, Marathon Electric Commercial, MasterBrand Cabinets, McWane Pipe, Mutual Savings, Nemak Alabama, New South Express, Omya Alabama Inc., Omni Source, ONIN Staffing, Pemco Corporation, Preferred Sourcing LLC, Quality of Life Healthcare, Scot Industries, Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement, Search North America Inc., Talladega Career Center-Career Link, Talladega Career Center-Employment Service, Talladega College, Talladega County School System, Talladega Machinery & Supply Company Inc. Usrey Funeral Home, Wellborn Cabinet Inc. and Westinghouse Anniston.
