Unemployment in Delaware hit 8.3 percent in September, leaving nearly 40,000 residents out of jobs, according to the Delaware Department of Labor. Those dreary statistics led hundreds of people to gather Tuesday, Oct. 20, for an all-day job fair in Millsboro, many waiting for an hour in line just to register.
The Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce and principals of the Del Pointe Resort & Racino hosted the event at Independence, a development off Indian Mission Road near Millsboro. Restaurants, hair salons, construction companies and poultry plants – 15 employers in all – provided information in an effort to put Sussex Countians back to work.
Job seekers also had an opportunity to dust off their résumés and take part in free training seminars. They also learned about the proposed Del Pointe project, whose principals say it would employ thousands if the project moves forward.
About 450 job seekers of all ages sat at tables filling out applications and getting free advice.
“I got 250 phone calls last week and 50 just today,” said job fair organizer Wendy O. Baker, director of public relations for the Ocean Atlantic agency.
“The response was overwhelming. There was a tremendous turnout at the Del Point job fair, which is a strong indication of how many people are looking for work in Sussex County and Delaware.” Baker said she is adding the employers at the fair to Del Pointe’s website. She’s also considering holding another job fair, based on the turnout.
For those unable to secure jobs that day, a temporary agency was present. The Delaware Economic Development Office also took down email addresses and phone numbers to contact job seekers if more jobs surface.
Iliana Gonzalez of Millsboro moved to Delaware nine years ago from New York City. She said she came here, in part, so she could afford her own home.
Gonzalez, a sous chef with 20 years’ experience, said she’s been unemployed for more than a year; her unemployment benefits are about to run out. “I was let go from a Rehoboth restaurant. They didn’t have enough hours. It’s hard. I live alone, and I’m paying a mortgage,” she said.
Lloyd Colick, a 34-year-old Milton resident, works fulltime on the graveyard shift for a local department store.
He said he was at the job fair searching for work with a better hourly rate. Colick said he would cook in a restaurant or work in maintenance.
One job seeker said she was considering taking part-time retail work for $8 an hour. She was frustrated not to find something better.
Gonzalez, who left the job fair without any prospects, said, “This is my last term on unemployment. What will I do? I will find a job. I’m not going to lose my house. This recession is really scaring me.”
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