MIDDLEPORT — With unemployment rates in the region well above the national average, a job fair has been organized to help those in the area find employment.

Meigs County One-Stop Jobs will host a wide range of employers, recruiters, representatives and post secondary education institutions on Thursday.

The job fair, the first held by the agency in Meigs County since 2008, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Family Life Center, located at 437 Main Street in Middleport.

While the agency has not hosted a job fair in the county in four years, it has participated in a three-county job fair each April in Athens County.

The job fair is open to anyone — not just those in Meigs County — looking for employment or post secondary opportunities.

Theresa Lavender, assistant program administrator at the Meigs County Department of Job and Family Services, encouraged those attending to “dress to impress” as some employers attending the job fair will be looking to hire right away.

All those attending the job fair are encouraged to bring resumes to give to employers and to be prepared for interviews to take place that day.

Some of the local high schools will also be bringing students to the job fair, giving them the opportunity to meet with potential employers and post secondary education institutions.

Employers and post secondary schools will be coming from around the region to meet with potential employees and students.

Those scheduled to intend include, Abby Shire, the Army, Autozone, Bob’s Market, Buckeye Community Services, Buffalo Wild Wings, Career Connection, Chamber of Commerce, Gallia-Meigs Community Action Agency, Holzer Health Systems, K-Mart, Lakin Correctional Facility, Lowes, Man Power, Mark Porter, Mature Service, Meigs EMS, MPW, Ohio Valley Home Health, Overbrook Rehab, Peoples Bank, Reliable Staffing, Rio Grande, Roxy’s, Southern States Truck Driving, Tri-County Career Center, Tri-County Career Center Truck Driving Academy, and many more.

As previously reported, unemployment in August was at 10.7 percent in Mason County, 11.1 percent in Meigs County, and 8.4 percent in Gallia County.

The national unemployment rate released on Friday shows national unemployment currently at 7.8 percent.

For more information contact Meigs County One Stop Jobs at (740) 992-2117 ext. 161.