UNICOI — The Town of Unicoi will host a local Job Fair Monday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Tourist Information Center off Exit 32 in Unicoi.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the community and our businesses with this event,” said Communications and Programs Director Ashley Shelton. “I know the internet makes hiring or job hunting a little easier these days, but there’s just not a replacement for good old-fashioned, in-person networking.”

Local employers such as Foam Products and Bath Fitter will be in attendance looking to hire qualified individuals for positions such as event specialist, chemical compounder, and general laborer for pay as high as $20 per hour.

Recruiters from the 2020 Census will also be on hand to take applications for positions that pay $13.50 per hour or more with flexible hours. Openings include clerical, field supervisors, mappers and a variety of other options.

“The census is a little more important to a small town like us,” said Mayor Johnny Lynch. “A lot of what we do is funded through grants, and the census counts are what determine how much money we can get.”

The census only has about 50 positions still available out of more than 150 needed for this area to have a complete count. Federal and state grant funds are determined by the official number of people living in a given county at the time of the census, so undercounting can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding loss for a town the size of Unicoi.

Job seekers may view a complete list of participating businesses at UnicoiTN.net/ Events and business wishing to participate may register at the same address.

For more information, contact Patricia Bennett at (423) 735-0517 or email recreationaide@unicoitn.net.