The Department of Human Resources has been providing residents of Selma and surrounding areas with job opportunities for the past 20 years.

With that mission in mind, the department’s annual JOBS Fair will be Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

More than 20 different companies, including International Paper and Regions Bank, are participating in the annual event.

“People are always looking for jobs. We want to make sure we are a vehicle and provide resources for anybody in the community who wants a job,” said JOBS Fair Program Supervisor Patricia Thomas.

Thomas has seen the program help many lives over the years.

“The JOBS Fair gives a chance to have one–on-one talks with employers and find out first-hand what they are looking for and what needs to be done to qualify,” Thomas said. “The more people who have jobs, the better the economy. People who have jobs can spend money in Selma. The more people we can put to work, there is a possibility for less crime.”

DHR Director Wanda Goodwin has been working alongside Thomas to put on the job fair.

“Everyone looks forward to it. It’s an opportunity for our clients and other community residents to come out, fill out job applications and even get information from different colleges to see what is available,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin thanked the city of Selma and local businesses for their support.

“One of our goals is to try to move people from welfare to work and this is one of the avenues we use to accomplish that,” Goodwin said.

For more information on the JOBS Fair, call the Department of Human Resources at (334) 874-1400.