Fresno manufacturer recognized for hiring through NEO program

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously recognized Pleasant Mattress, Inc. on Jan. 9 for its role in a decade-long county workforce initiative that has connected thousands of residents to paid work. The county resolution highlighted Pleasant Mattress’s effort in placing participants from the New Employment Opportunities program, known locally as NEO.

NEO has placed more than 2,500 people into jobs and paid $23.5 million in wages over the past decade, according to the resolution. Pleasant Mattress has hired more than 32 participants through the program, a meaningful share for a single manufacturer in Fresno County’s mid-sized industrial sector. The Board’s unanimous vote underscored the county’s view of public-private partnerships as a practical route to expand employment and training in the Central Valley economy.

Will Oliver, president and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corp., called Pleasant Mattress an "amazing partner" for supporting workforce development efforts that connect residents to jobs and employers to trained workers. His comment came as county leaders stressed the program’s dual benefits: helping residents gain on-ramps to steady paychecks while supplying local employers with vetted, job-ready staff.

For local residents, the recognition signals that manufacturing employers in Fresno are engaged with county-run employment pathways. Each hire through NEO represents not only a job but also wages that circulate through neighborhoods, supporting household budgets and local businesses. Over a decade, $23.5 million in wages from NEO placements represents sustained income for families and a modest but measurable boost to the county’s consumer spending base.

For employers, Pleasant Mattress’s example illustrates how participating in workforce programs can address hiring bottlenecks and reduce recruiting costs. Employers negotiating tight labor markets often cite the need for reliable, trainable workers; programs like NEO reduce friction by pre-screening candidates and coordinating training.

Policy implications include an argument for continued investment in hands-on training and incentives that link employers with county workforce services. Fresno County leaders framed the recognition as part of broader efforts to grow job opportunities that support middle-income households and keep talent in the Central Valley.

The takeaway? If you’re looking for work or trying to hire, county programs are already moving people into paychecks and the private sector is responding. Our two cents? If you want a job that leads to steady wages, check whether NEO or similar county services can connect you to local employers—these partnerships are working in real, paycheck-sized ways.