By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — Teaming up with Dodge City and Liberal economic development teams, Great
Bend Economic Development spent three days at the New Mexico State Fair to
expose potential workforce in New Mexico to what western Kansas has to offer.
Great Bend Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger said the event in September
was a good experience and a good trial period. More than 20 people requested
follow-up about possible employment in Kansas.
"One of things
that I thought was really valuable was having Chris Ryan with Sunrise
Staffing come down with us for a full day," said Arnberger. "As someone
that owns a staffing agency and does this all the time, it was so great
to get his perspective. He jumped in to do this with us next year on a
bigger scale and actually do interviews for employers while we're
there."
Arnberger said the three economic development organizations are all interested
in going back to the New Mexico State Fair again.
"At this very moment with the feedback and conversations we had, I feel
like we picked the right location," said Arnberger. "That doesn't mean
that there are not other 'right' locations. We are looking at other
states. We're looking at all the data...what's the unemployment rate?
What are the areas of work that people are looking for?"
The fair was 11 days in Albuquerque, and Great Bend split up the days with
Liberal and Dodge City to recruit fairgoers to come work in Kansas.