More than 200 potential job openings are up for grabs as employers and prospective employees gather for a job fair Thursday at Iola’s Riverside Park.
The event — scheduled in the wake of Gates Corporation’s announcement it was eliminating a production line and 80 jobs in Iola by year’s end — has continued to grow, reported Dakota McNett of Thrive Allen County.
McNett, speaking Monday to Iola City Council members, gave a brief rundown of the activities, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Recreation Community Building.
Thirty-three employers will be on hand, as will representatives from both the City of Iola and City of Humboldt, the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Works and Allen Community College. Iola and Marmaton Valley high school seniors are invited to attend as well.
The first 30 minutes will be open to veterans and their families, before general entry opens at 1:30.
Organizers also will offer free professional headshots, resume reviews, LinkedIn profile assistance and other workforce support.
A children’s corner will keep youngsters occupied while their parents are visiting with employers as well.
McNett said a clothing station for job-seekers to wear fresh attire for the event also is available.
IN OTHER business, Council members have rezoned about 11 acres of property for commercial use. The city acquired the land just north of Super 8 Motel and west of U.S. 169 earlier this year. Up to now, the land was zoned as residential. The rezoning was unanimously endorsed by the Iola Planning Commission.
Council members also scheduled a budget hearing for 6 p.m. Dec. 8 to approve year-end budget transfers. The biggest transfer, $64,000, was due to higher-than-expected health insurance costs for 2025. The Recreation Fund’s budget authority will need to increase about $28,000 to cover both health insurance expenses and unexpected equipment repairs, City Clerk Roxanne Hutton said. The Convention and Tourism Fund also brought in extra monies this year, prompting an additional $5,000 in budget authority.
AN INDUSTRIAL park area which is being platted near Russell Stover Chocolates will soon have a road — undeveloped for now — named after former Iola Mayor Ray Pershall.
Assistant City Administrator Corey Schinstock said Pershall’s influence in Iola’s history — he was considered one of the “founding fathers” of Iola Industries — was worthy of a street named in his honor.
COUNCILMAN Jon Wells said Allen Community College will host a special preview of the Ken Burns documentary “The Revolutionary War” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Stadler Conference Center, followed by a live panel discussion with historians, educators and civic leaders.
Admission is free, although seating is limited on a first-come, first -serve basis. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com
IN OTHER news, Eric Sanders, a 17-year employee of the Fire/EMS department, announced his retirement, effective Oct. 31. Dakota Parker also resigned from the Fire/EMS Department Oct. 31, while Zach Buchanan was hired into the Clerk/Utility Office on Nov. 3.
