BENTON HARBOR, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Benton Harbor is hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, February 24, from 3 until 6 p.m.
Many of the available jobs will coincide with the city’s lead service line replacement project, according to Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad and City Commissioner Ron Singleton, co-chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee. Muhammad advises applicants to “show up with your best foot forward, and be ready to be hired on the spot.”
“In a highly dense job market, where employers are looking for workers, starting with the State of Michigan’s contractors, and local business, the city wanted to do our part – to connect residents directly to employers, to help build our community,” Muhammad said. “It’s a perfect marriage for a community that has historically starved for jobs and employment.”
The city expects to accomplish its goal of replacing all lead service lines with a mixture of state and federal funds. The latest major step came last month, when city commissioners hired five contractors to handle the work, and they’ll need residents to fill the various jobs needed to keep the project moving, Singleton said.
“I see it as an opportunity to get this community involved in rebuilding itself,” Singleton said. “We want to see our citizens involved in some of the work, so I believe it’s a win-win opportunity to get the infrastructure fixed, and also get some local people employed. We feel the timing is right.”
The Job Fair is being held at City of Benton Harbor City Hall, 200 East Wall Street. Positions are available with the City of Benton Harbor, Berrien County, State of Michigan and other employers. Open positions include contractors, landscapers, public safety (police and fire), public works, parks and recreation, code compliance, finance, assistant clerk, environmental health and many more.
For more information, contact the city at 269- 927-8471. Jobseekers should also visit the following websites:
ARTICLE BY LYNN SUTFIN
