Normally, Macomb area job seekers have to stop in at local businesses or search online for job applications.

Hundreds of residents took advantage of an easier way to apply for work on Friday during the "Manufacturers  Application Rodeo" sponsored by the Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation and the Workforce Investment Board of Western Illinois.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., MAEDCO employees as well as officials from area factories handed out packets applications for jobs at seven local companies to job seekers who needed only to drive through the parking lot at the future home of Spoon River College on West Jackson Street.

"We thought this would be a really easy 1-2-3 step process," said Kim Pierce, executive director of MAEDCO. "We want to make it as easy as possible for those job seekers to be able to drive through and pick up the applications they need."

Companies participating in the event and advertising jobs included Pella, NTN Bower, Advance Technology Services, Whalen Manufacturing, Yetter Manufacturing, Schuld/Bushnell and Vaughn & Bushnell Manufacturing. Pierce said the seven companies had a combined 220 job openings they are looking to fill by the end of the year.

"I think that goes to show you with the closings that are around us and the sluggish economy, it's kind of refreshing to see that McDonough County is alive and well and thriving," Pierce said. "We're very fortunate because McDonough County is hiring."

Pierce said she was pleased with the turnout they had at the rodeo through mid-afternoon. Between 7 and 9 a.m., they had already handed out 100 packets of applications and by 3 p.m., they were well through their fourth box of 100 packets.

"We weren't sure what we're going to see in response," Pierce said. "We did this with Pella when they first came in Macomb. There was a phenomenal response. But that was one company brand new to the area with lots of promotion and hype through the site selection and construction.

"We weren't quite sure what our numbers would be for this, but we're very pleased."
All different types of people came out to pick up applications. Pierce said, while they didn't ask people directly why they were picking up the applications, several people offered their reasons for seeking employment.

"A lot of them are those that are just looking for a better job," She said. "They are relocating to the area because spouse already lives here. We've heard quite a bit of different stories this morning."

Stan Heslet, the site manager for Advanced Technology Services, said he overheard one woman talking about being laid off from Methode in Carthage and needing a new job.

"One lady did volunteer that today is actually her last day of work," Heslet said. "Some of them are just looking for opportunities."

John Cummings walked over during a break from his job at AutoZone to pick up some packets. He said he was getting them for a friend, but he might fill some out for himself.
"I have a friend who just moved here from Louisiana, who is a victim of Katrina. I'm just trying to get her into the workforce," Cummings said. " I may fill one out for myself, but I want to get her into an upper-level job in this area."

From the standpoint of a participating company, Heslet said he thought the rodeo was a good way to get a bigger pool of applicants.

"I think a lot of times, applicants it is a by chance type of thing," Heslet said. "They might not have the time to go through the interview or go to a job fair where you have to have a lot of time. Giving them the opportunity to drive through and pick up an application to fill out at their leisure, I think it is going to be a better quality process."

Pierce said the success of the rodeo could lead to bigger such events or job fairs.

"We've had a lot of interest in companies from around the area that aren't in the county that asked if they could participate in this one," She said. "We had to tell them no because that wasn't the focus of this particular project."