Jackson Free Press

JACKSON — City Holds Job Fair

The city is teaming up with several area partners in an attempt to get Jacksonians back to work.

Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., the Governor's Job Fair Network, United Way, the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Youth Solutions and Operation Shoestring host the second annual Jobs for Jacksonians Job Fair and Business Engagement Summit Wednesday, Sept. 26 at the Jackson Medical Mall.

The Jobs for Jacksonians Job Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Unemployed Jacksonians will be able to discuss job opportunities with business participants and register with the city's Jobs for Jacksonians Coordinator to receive information on future opportunities.

"We see this as a promising opportunity to get more of our citizens to work, and I applaud the businesses who have already signed on to participate," Johnson said in a press release.

Service providers will conduct interviews and offer resume writing seminars at the job fair. Local and community colleges will also be on site to discuss educational opportunities.

United Way of the Capital Area will conduct a Business Engagement Summit for invited local high-school students from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students will participate in workshops highlighting proper business attire, resume writing and business etiquette. Businesses will also conduct mock interviews with students to help prepare then to enter the workforce.

The event is part of the mayor's Jobs for Jacksonians Initiative, which he designed to bolster job opportunities for citizens. As part of the initiative, the city set up the Jobs for Jacksonians hotline at 601-961-4JOB, where citizens can place their information on a jobs registry, and where potential employers, city job programs and companies can review it.

Iron Horse Readying for Construction

Construction will soon begin on the resurrection of the Iron Horse Grill.

Developer Joseph Simpson has secured a $2.5 million urban renewal bond from the Jackson Redevelopment Authority to bring back the restaurant, which burned twice before closing in 1999. Construction is set to begin in November, with some big additions.

The $7.5 million development will include a restaurant, live music venue, gift shop and a museum dedicated to Mississippi music legends.

Senior Service Comes to Town

Caring Senior Service is coming to Jackson.

The at-home senior-care service recently began operations in Jackson, expanding its reach to 15 states. The company offers services including personal care, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation and any other services seniors need to remain at home.

Ken Anderson became involved with the company when a loved one needed their services. He soon joined as the company's Director Apprentice Program. After graduating from the program, he managed the Huntsville, Ala., location. Anderson recently started the new Jackson location.

"Caring Senior Service was there for my loved one when my family needed them and I was immediately drawn to the company because of their devotion to providing excellent care and companionship," Anderson said in a press release. "With such a personal connection to Caring Senior Service, I am honored to open up another franchise and provide the same high quality of service to seniors in Jackson."

Millsaps Receives $1.4 Million Grant

Millsaps College has received a $1.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to redesign its science curriculum. The new curriculum is aimed at expanding the number of students interested in pre-medical education and deepening scientific training for all students.