Job fair planned in wake of Spreckels plant closure
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – A major job fair is taking place this Friday at the Imperial Valley Mall in response to the sudden shutdown of the Spreckels Sugar Plant in Brawley.
The closure resulted in the loss of about 400 jobs and has impacted many more workers across the region.
Congressman Raul Ruiz, who is co-hosting the event, says the goal is to keep local families employed and supported during this difficult time. He emphasized the importance of providing resources to help workers transition into new jobs.
“The current workers can prepare ahead of time with what they need in terms of unemployment resources or educational and job training resources to make the transition into another job and to help make ends meet during this difficult period,” said Congressman Ruiz.
Ruiz also stressed the importance of supporting rural areas like Imperial Valley to help promote long-term economic growth.
Imperial County Workforce and Economic Development Director Priscilla Lopez says the closure has affected more than just Spreckels employees.
“We’re looking at about a thousand jobs that will be affected directly from this closure, directly or indirectly, and the community is rallying around those dislocated employees,” said Lopez.
Friday’s job fair will include job training programs, union representatives, and agencies offering help with health insurance and other support.
Lopez says the goal is to connect people with real opportunities adding, “We wanted employers with real life jobs, not just employers to pick up resumes.”
The county plans to continue these efforts with more job fairs in the future.
The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Imperial Valley Mall. Registration is required. To register, you can click here.