Allendale County Looks to Grab 3,000 Jobs; Job Fairs Coming To Augusta And Aiken In July

Allendale County, SC—More than 500 people braved 90 degree temperatures Wednesday afternoon.
   
Beads of sweat forming….maybe because of the weather, maybe because it could mean a new job.

Jessica Key, North Augusta, SC: “It’s absolutely worth it, if it means me getting a job, I’ll stand in any kind of weather.“

Melvin Sinclair, Sylvania, GA: “Right now, anything. The economy’s bad and I just want to be able to provide for my family.“
   
Here in Allendale County, about one in four people are out of work…and for some, it’s been quite a while since they’ve had a job.

But the Savannah River Site has 3,000 jobs up for grabs. And this time, it’s Allendale’s chance to hand in resumes, and hopefully walk out, with a job.

Clif Webb, Director of Communications, Recovery Project: “It’s one of our communities, so we are pulling from around our communities to fill the jobs at the SRS.“

Mayor Ronnie Jackson, Allendale, SC: “I’m hoping that we’ll walk away with a bunch of jobs.“
   
He’s 20-years-old, but Allendale native Joseph McCaskey knows jobs in his hometown are hard to come by.

Joseph McCaskey, Allendale, SC: “Out here there’s nothing out here. You have to drive. Even if I get the job today, it’s still an hour away from here. But it means a lot that SRS comes out here to us, cause not everybody’s able to get out there to them.“
   
Jobs available range…engineers to carpenters to clerical aides. They are temporary, since the stimulus package only lasts until 2011, but that doesn’t discourage the turnout here.

Timothy Williams, Barnwell, SC: “Well, it’s something to do right now, something to get over the hump, through the hard times, maybe through the recession. And by then, maybe the economy will be on the upside of things.“
   
They’re willing to stand in the heat…and that’s something that’s heartwarming to future employers.

Jeffrey Allison, Manager, SRS Office: “To see 500 people waiting in line in the heat-90 degree heat-for jobs. I had a lump in my throat.“ to see the excitement on their face, and see that there’s an opportunity out there for a job.“

The SRS job tour will continue:
Aiken, July 7th
Augusta, July 20th

To get your resume in early, log onto http://www.srs.gov/recovery