Tell City job fair connects Perry County residents with employers

Tomorrow the Southwest Indiana Workforce Board will host a community job fair aimed at connecting Perry County residents with local employers. The event runs Jan. 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST at the Ivy Tech Tell City Career & Technology Center, 1034 31st St., Tell City, and is open to the public.

Organizers are inviting job seekers across all experience levels to meet with area employers who will be on site to share hiring opportunities. For Perry County, where wages, benefits and job stability shape household health and financial security, a single hiring decision can affect insurance coverage, access to primary care, and a family’s ability to stay in the community.

Job fairs are more than hiring floors; they are a frontline public health intervention. When more residents secure steady work with predictable hours and benefits, communities see downstream improvements in chronic disease management, mental health, and reduced reliance on emergency services. For rural and small-town economies like ours, increasing labor participation helps local businesses stay open, supports schools and municipal services, and can slow out-migration of young people.

Barriers that often keep Perry County residents from taking full advantage of opportunities include transportation, childcare, and digital access for follow-up applications. Attending in person can short-circuit some of those barriers by allowing face-to-face conversations with hiring managers. Local leaders say events like this also give employers a chance to recruit workers who understand the community and are likely to stay.

For people planning to attend, the fair offers a concentrated window to make connections that could lead to full-time, part-time, seasonal, or training-linked positions. Dress neatly, bring a few paper copies of your résumé, and be ready to talk about your skills and availability; employers typically appreciate clear, concise introductions. If you need transportation or childcare to attend, check local community services and faith-based organizations that sometimes provide one-time support for job search activities.

This event also matters for equity. Jobs with livable wages and benefits are a key route out of poverty and an essential part of closing health disparities in rural counties. Making hiring accessible to those re-entering the workforce, people with caregiving responsibilities, or those without reliable internet can change life trajectories in neighborhoods across Perry County.

Our two cents? Treat this as a community resource worth your time—show up prepared, ask about benefits and schedules, and follow up the same day. A short visit to Ivy Tech tomorrow could be the start of a more stable paycheck and better health for you or someone you care about.