The Selma Times-Journal

While Gov. Bob Riley announced Alabama’s unemployment rate tied a record low at 3.3 percent, figures included in the governor’s new release showed four out of the top five counties were in the Black Belt, ranked among the state’s highest.

But that’s nothing new.

Unemployed individuals from throughout Dallas, Perry Lowndes and Wilcox counties are expected to attend the second annual Black Belt Job Fair at Wallace Community College Selma. Organizers said they expect more than 28 different employers from throughout the region on hand to meet with job seekers.

During the Job Fair, WCCS President Dr. James M. Mitchell is expected to announce a new initiative in workforce development. Mitchell will address the media and local businesses and community leaders Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Library Reading Room to make the announcement.

The unemployment rate in Dallas County in September 2006 was 8.2 percent. Dallas ranked second to Perry County, leading the state with 8.5 percent unemployment. Bullock County ranked third at 7.9 percent, tied with Wilcox County. Lowndes County rounded out the top five at 6.1 percent, according to estimates provided to Gov. Riley.

Local and regional companies will be represented and taking applications for available positions during the job fair scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26.

Information on job training programs, college enrollment, adult education enrollment, and area transportation services will also be available.

“This is a free program and is open to the public,” said Felecia Pettway, event coordinator. “It will begin at 9 a.m. in the Library-Gymnasium on the main campus, and concludes at 1 p.m.”

WCCS and its workforce training programs is the event’s sponsor, in partnership with U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Alabama, State Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, Mayor James Perkins Jr., City of Selma, and the Selma Employment Office.

Agencies and companies signed up to participate include:

Alabama Employment Office

Amedisys

Buchanan Timber Co.

Bush Hog

Calhoun Enterprises

Cebco

City of Selma

Dallas County Health Department

Global Security Glazing

Hanil E-Hwa

Lighthouse

Meadowcraft

Odyssey Health Care

Perry County Nursing Home

Rehab Associates

Renosol

Selma CareerLink

Selma Disabilities

Selma Employment Office

Selma Works, FIT

TexPak

Wachovia Bank

West Central Alabama Rehab Center

WCCS

Mutual Savings Credit Union

U.S. Army

AIDT

Vaughan Regional Medical Center

Liberty National Life Insurance Co.

For more information contact Pettway at (334) 876-9379.