Despite recent job losses in the area, employment opportunities are available for those looking for a job, officials said.
Earlier this month, Federal Mogul announced it would close its Maysville facility in June 2015; the J.Curtis Salon and Spa closed its doors; and the Regal-Beloit plant in Mount Sterling closed. Between Federal Mogul and Regal-Beloit, 360 people are, or will be out of work within the next year.
According to Jeremy Faulkner, business service coordinator at the Kentucky Career Center, Tenco Workforce office in Maysville, companies are hiring.
"There's just as much growth going on in this area as there is decline in jobs," Faulkner said.
While the jobs may not all be local to Mason, Lewis, Bracken, Fleming and Robertson counties, the opportunities are within an hour's drive, Faulkner said.
"There are literally hundreds of jobs in the area," he said. "There's a broad spectrum of jobs available for all levels of education."
Faulkner's office works with employers in Rowan, Bath and Montgomery counties, as well as the five Buffalo Trace counties.
He cited several employers that are currently hosting job fairs and taking employment applications.
Family Dollar Distribution Center in Morehead, Nestle in Mount Sterling, Mitsubishi in Maysville, Masco Cabinetry in Mount Sterling and Custom Foods in Owingsville are all hiring, with job openings for 75 people at Family Dollar to 250 at Nestle.
Family Dollar officials will be at the Career Center taking applications Monday, July 28, and each subsequent Monday for several weeks, Faulkner said.
Faulkner said in the case of Nestle, which has 1,000 employees, the company is adding 250 jobs and is constantly replenishing its workforce due to employee turnover. The Mount Sterling location produces Hot Pockets and Lean Pockets frozen food products.
Faulkner also pointed out these jobs offer health and retirement benefits.
"Jobs with benefits, that's what you want to attract to the area," he said.
Faulkner said people seeking employment can stop at the Kentucky Career Center, located at 210 Government Street, Suite 100 in Maysville to learn more, or visit the agency's Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/kentuckycareercentertenco
The Ledger Independent is online at: http://www.maysville-online.com