Job Fair in Emporia to Assist Displaced Workers

News Summary

A job fair is scheduled in Emporia to support over 550 employees laid off after the closure of the Georgia-Pacific plywood plant. This event aims to connect displaced workers with potential employers and provide critical resources as the community rallies together following significant job losses in the area. Local organizations are mobilizing to offer employment assistance, training opportunities, and mental health resources to aid those affected.

Emporia – A job fair is set to take place on Thursday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Golden Leaf Commons, located at 1781 Greensville County Circle, following the recent closure of the Georgia-Pacific plywood plant. This event aims to assist the over 550 employees who were left jobless after the plant ceased operations last week.

Georgia-Pacific organized the job fair as a part of its efforts to provide rapid assistance to the affected workers. Individuals interested in attending the fair need to register online through a link that has been provided, although details for this registration were not specified.

The plywood plant’s closure is attributed to several economic factors, including high home prices and a significant decline in existing home sales, which have reached a 30-year low. This closure is particularly significant as it follows recent job losses in the city, including those at the Tyson Foods plant and the Holiday Resort, leading to a combined total of more than 900 job losses in Emporia.

In response to these job cuts, the City of Emporia has mobilized a Rapid Response team to extend support to displaced workers. This team, composed of various local organizations and entities such as Lyon County, the Regional Development Association, Emporia Main Street, the Emporia Chamber of Commerce, Flint Hills Technical College, Emporia State University, United Way of the Flint Hills, Crosswinds, KansasWorks, and Emporia Public Schools, is ready to assist with employment placement and financial aid.

Reports indicate that many former employees of the Holiday Resort have successfully found new positions within a 40-mile radius of Emporia. Additionally, KansasWORKS Southeast is organizing further meetings and a career fair dedicated to assisting displaced workers, which is scheduled for January 8, 2025.

Local organizations are actively working to offer additional support to affected individuals. For instance, CrossWinds Counseling and Wellness is providing mental health resources, while Flint Hills Technical College is waiving admission fees to help displaced workers gain new skills. Employers in the area are also encouraged to consider hiring these individuals, with available financial assistance programs for retraining and apprenticeship opportunities to support their transition into new roles.

The situation remains fluid, and as the job fair approaches, participants are encouraged to prepare their resumes and consider potential career paths that may align with their skills and interests. The community’s response to the plant’s closure illustrates a collective effort to aid those impacted during this challenging time.

This job fair presents an opportunity for displaced workers to connect with potential employers and gather resources that may help in their job search. Engaging in such events can be a crucial step in securing a new position in a challenging labor market that is still recovering from the recent downturn.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• WTVR: Emporia Job Fair After Georgia-Pacific Plant Closure
• Wikipedia: Job Fair
• KVOE: Emporia Stronger Job Fair Set for April 8
• Google Search: Job Fair Emporia
• KSNT: Job Fair and Resources in Emporia Following Tyson Closure
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Conditions
• KVOE: Emporia Job Fair Update
• Google News: Emporia Job Support