The “signs” are evidence — local manufacturers are hiring once again. Signs in front of buildings, billboards on Interstate 40 and advertisements in the newspaper, no matter where someone sees it, it’s obvious.
“It’s fairly evident that our manufacturers are hiring,” said Shawnee Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Tim Burg.
Different companies, including Wolverine Tube, Inc., Eaton Corporation, Georg Fischer Central Plastics, Exxon Mobil Chemical, Wood Group Pressure Control and others have all indicated they are hiring, he said.
Mayor Linda Peterson said this is definitely a good sign for the city as well.
When companies rehire, it allows citizens to be more financially stable to support the businesses in town, she said.
“Some of the things that we see directly are increased sales tax collections,” Peterson said.
Al Serradell, Shawnee Center Manager for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, said rehiring always is a good thing.
“We are extremely encouraged to see manufacturing jobs open again,” he said. “When job seekers see that there are jobs here, in this case, manufacturing positions, they may be willing to relocate to Shawnee or our surrounding area. That brings money flowing back into our community, and that’s always a good thing.”
Serradell said he’s optimistic about this as well.
“Any time I see positions opening up, employers coming to our offices for staffing services, then I am encouraged and would like to believe the economy is coming back,” he said. “Hopefully, this will continue.”
A recent job fair also was encouraging, Serradell said.
“What I saw at last week’s job fair was encouraging, with 48 vendors from our local business community looking for employees,” he said. “We will have to wait and see, but I hope, very much hope that the increase in manufacturing jobs means an economic recovery.”
Peterson said more jobs means collections should increase because residents will have money to buy more.
“Citizens are able to buy more than just the bare necessities,” she said. “It is good overall for the city.”
Even with some of the manufacturers being outside the city limits, the impact is still there, Peterson said.
“Just like our businesses collect regionally, our businesses hire regionally,” she said. “It still is a direct impact. When they rehire, that’s a good thing for all of us. It keeps our economy much more stable.”
Serradell said he too sees this as a way to stabilize the economy.
“We hope the increase in manufacturing jobs will be long term,” he said. “If this holds true, then more job seekers will return to work and other employers will be positively impacted by the growth.”
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Josh Burton may be reached by calling 214-3926.
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The “signs” are evidence — local manufacturers are hiring once again. Signs in front of buildings, billboards on Interstate 40 and advertisements in the newspaper, no matter where someone sees it, it’s obvious.
“It’s fairly evident that our manufacturers are hiring,” said Shawnee Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Tim Burg.
Different companies, including Wolverine Tube, Inc., Eaton Corporation, Georg Fischer Central Plastics, Exxon Mobil Chemical, Wood Group Pressure Control and others have all indicated they are hiring, he said.
Mayor Linda Peterson said this is definitely a good sign for the city as well.
When companies rehire, it allows citizens to be more financially stable to support the businesses in town, she said.
“Some of the things that we see directly are increased sales tax collections,” Peterson said.
Al Serradell, Shawnee Center Manager for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, said rehiring always is a good thing.
“We are extremely encouraged to see manufacturing jobs open again,” he said. “When job seekers see that there are jobs here, in this case, manufacturing positions, they may be willing to relocate to Shawnee or our surrounding area. That brings money flowing back into our community, and that’s always a good thing.”
Serradell said he’s optimistic about this as well.
“Any time I see positions opening up, employers coming to our offices for staffing services, then I am encouraged and would like to believe the economy is coming back,” he said. “Hopefully, this will continue.”
A recent job fair also was encouraging, Serradell said.
“What I saw at last week’s job fair was encouraging, with 48 vendors from our local business community looking for employees,” he said. “We will have to wait and see, but I hope, very much hope that the increase in manufacturing jobs means an economic recovery.”
Peterson said more jobs means collections should increase because residents will have money to buy more.
“Citizens are able to buy more than just the bare necessities,” she said. “It is good overall for the city.”
Even with some of the manufacturers being outside the city limits, the impact is still there, Peterson said.
“Just like our businesses collect regionally, our businesses hire regionally,” she said. “It still is a direct impact. When they rehire, that’s a good thing for all of us. It keeps our economy much more stable.”
Serradell said he too sees this as a way to stabilize the economy.
“We hope the increase in manufacturing jobs will be long term,” he said. “If this holds true, then more job seekers will return to work and other employers will be positively impacted by the growth.”
———
Josh Burton may be reached by calling 214-3926.
