Job center places 1,518 since July 1

2/28/2006

Job placements through Lucas County's employment center called The Source hit the 1,500 mark this fiscal year and is exceeding last year's pace by 51 percent, a trend partly attributable to the Jeep plant expansion, officials said.

The Source located at 1301 Monroe St. works with businesses searching for employees and with job seekers who need advice and help with resumes, among other job-search needs.

Employers have found jobs for 1,518 from July 1, 2005, to last week. The total for the same time frame the previous year was 1,003.

"As our region continues to change with the national economy, these placements prove that good-paying manufacturing jobs still have a future here in Lucas County," county Commissioner Pete Gerken said.

Michael Vey, an official at The Source, said more and more people are coming into the agency and that small businesses also are finding out about the services.