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By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 05:40 p.m. EDT, Jun 18, 2009
Some wore suits. Others dressed in jeans.
Some were fresh out of high school. Others had gray hair.
They all had one thing in common. They need a job.
For much of Thursday, a long line of job seekers stretched outside Akron's Verge Building at 1115 S. Main St.
The gathering followed PlusOne Communications' announcement Wednesday that it is accepting applications for up to 1,500 jobs. The startup company is seeking workers for a call center where employees will answer consumer questions in the health and communications field over the next 18 months.
PlusOne President Robert Madden of Hudson said the jobs will pay $20,000 to $30,000 a year. Managers will be paid more.
Kathleen Brown, 54, of Springfield Township, who was laid off from a small manufacturer where she worked for nearly a decade in shipping and receiving, was optimistic about her chances of getting a job.
''I am hoping I walk out of here with a big smile,'' she said.
The Northeast Ohio job market is terrible, she said.
''Everybody is getting laid off. Everybody is trying to get the same job you are, and God bless them if they got it,'' she said. ''I would like one of those jobs.''
More than 200 people had filled out applications by early afternoon Thursday, said Jill Bacon-Madden, owner of the newly renovated building that was originally the Firestone Bank building.
The latest unemployment rate in Summit County was 9.7 percent and 10.5 percent in Akron, according to the state.
Among those seeking a job was Lawrence Butler, 26, who said he was laid off two months ago from a telemarketing job.
The Marine veteran and father of a 3-year-old said he hopes to land a job where he can use the computers skills he learned in the military.
''I'm pretty good at it,'' said the Buchtel High School graduate.
Jackie Spector, 46, of Cleveland, lost her job as a contractor with National City Bank two months ago and said she was glad to have a chance to have a face-to-face meeting with someone at PlusOne and ''hopefully make an impression.''
Stacie Jeffries, 43, of Akron, said her mother informed her of the PlusOne jobs.
''It's a job. It's a job,'' she said her mother told her of the planned hirings.
Jeffries, an accountant and an auditor, said she is ''willing to learn'' in order to get a job.
Gary Luchansky, 58, of Strongsville, who is working part time, said sales merchandising and middle management are on his resume.
Luchansky said PlusOne offers the opportunity to be part of a company's start and grow a career along with it.
''I am hoping to work for the company a while and get promoted,'' he said.
More than $5 million has been invested in the building andPlusOne's startup. The city has spent an additional $1.5 million on infrastructure improvements in the area.
Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays at PlusOne. The company's Web site, which has not yet launched, will be at http:///www.plusone.us.com.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Some wore suits. Others dressed in jeans.
Some were fresh out of high school. Others had gray hair.
They all had one thing in common. They need a job.
For much of Thursday, a long line of job seekers stretched outside Akron's Verge Building at 1115 S. Main St.
The gathering followed PlusOne Communications' announcement Wednesday that it is accepting applications for up to 1,500 jobs. The startup company is seeking workers for a call center where employees will answer consumer questions in the health and communications field over the next 18 months.
PlusOne President Robert Madden of Hudson said the jobs will pay $20,000 to $30,000 a year. Managers will be paid more.
Kathleen Brown, 54, of Springfield Township, who was laid off from a small manufacturer where she worked for nearly a decade in shipping and receiving, was optimistic about her chances of getting a job.
''I am hoping I walk out of here with a big smile,'' she said.
The Northeast Ohio job market is terrible, she said.
''Everybody is getting laid off. Everybody is trying to get the same job you are, and God bless them if they got it,'' she said. ''I would like one of those jobs.''
More than 200 people had filled out applications by early afternoon Thursday, said Jill Bacon-Madden, owner of the newly renovated building that was originally the Firestone Bank building.
The latest unemployment rate in Summit County was 9.7 percent and 10.5 percent in Akron, according to the state.
Among those seeking a job was Lawrence Butler, 26, who said he was laid off two months ago from a telemarketing job.
The Marine veteran and father of a 3-year-old said he hopes to land a job where he can use the computers skills he learned in the military.
''I'm pretty good at it,'' said the Buchtel High School graduate.
Jackie Spector, 46, of Cleveland, lost her job as a contractor with National City Bank two months ago and said she was glad to have a chance to have a face-to-face meeting with someone at PlusOne and ''hopefully make an impression.''
Stacie Jeffries, 43, of Akron, said her mother informed her of the PlusOne jobs.
''It's a job. It's a job,'' she said her mother told her of the planned hirings.
Jeffries, an accountant and an auditor, said she is ''willing to learn'' in order to get a job.
Gary Luchansky, 58, of Strongsville, who is working part time, said sales merchandising and middle management are on his resume.
Luchansky said PlusOne offers the opportunity to be part of a company's start and grow a career along with it.
''I am hoping to work for the company a while and get promoted,'' he said.
More than $5 million has been invested in the building andPlusOne's startup. The city has spent an additional $1.5 million on infrastructure improvements in the area.
Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays at PlusOne. The company's Web site, which has not yet launched, will be at http:///www.plusone.us.com.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 06:04 PM, 06/18/2009
===============
Applications will be accepted from 9 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays at PlusOne.
===============
Job hunters...Be watchful, especially after dark.
Don't forget, there was an armed robbery at last night at the Church's Fried Chicken that is only 1000 ft south of PlusOne.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:28 PM, 06/18/2009
Gee! Even thru all of the negative posts, re: these stories people are still going there for jobs. Better watch it Overtax, they're going to want more of your tax dollars to create more jobs in Akron. Maybe you should look for another city to make as your domicile.
This is continued great news for Akron.
Akron, OH
Posted 06:59 PM, 06/18/2009
1,500 jobs just aren't going to happen. This is a desperate media ploy to make MINUSquellic look good. Won't work. Too much damage to the City of Akron has been done by Mayor Plusquellic. Just read it at:
www.akronwatch.org
www.changeakronnow.com
www.recallmayordon.com
vote FOR the RECALL on June 23rd.
C.F., Oh
Posted 07:12 PM, 06/18/2009
Went Thurs, stood in line...After getting inside, there was no application to fill out, just a 'test' that took about 1/2 hr. Kind of odd. Some people appeared to have resumes, but if you think you can go, run in and pick up an application, this is not the case. An odd thing that no one came out and said you needed a resume then and there and they would review it.
So, if this company will explain in the news what people need before stopping by, that they will, in fact, review resumes that would be a great help so no one wastes any time.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 07:32 PM, 06/18/2009
Overtaxed Voter...tell me...what exactly keeps you in Akron?
Funtown, OH
Posted 09:04 PM, 06/18/2009
To original akronite: When was the last time you applied for a job? Most people do bring a resume. It's called applying for a job. And goodness a test? How'd ya do? Not so well I bet. But isn't that the ones that get the jobs? hmmmm
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:27 PM, 06/18/2009
I live in Highland Square and I've never felt threatened in this city. I know most of my neighbors and most people are great here, but from time to time there will be a robbery or a mugging--thas life in the city.
@UAEngineering--what discipline of engineering?
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:28 PM, 06/18/2009
It's great that there are job openings, but sad that they aren't the middle class earnings that we are use to earning.
Akron, oh
Posted 10:01 PM, 06/18/2009
@Nathan G
Your security is false. Highland square is a prolific place for crime.
You are the grass eater and the predators (meat eaters) walk only a few blocks and they feed on you.
Marco and the Mayor do nothing to protect you
Posted 11:22 PM, 06/18/2009
I love Highland Square.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:31 AM, 06/19/2009
Same positives for Highland Square. Love being here. We're 1mi from downtown; occasional nonsense happens. Violent crime is low - for the average resident who uses their common sense, they will be fine. Spare us the dramatics.
Akron, , OH
Posted 07:25 AM, 06/19/2009
Lie detector:
Don't live in fear, it's not good for you.
Akron,Ohio is the best place to live and we will be prosperous. Stay away from the TV
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:46 AM, 06/19/2009
The lines for jobs that pay minimum wage plus a dollar just show how bad things are in Akron. Don't be fooled. Recall the Mayor and let's get the Akron area moving again in the direction of good paying jobs with benefits.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:04 AM, 06/19/2009
Recalling the mayor may bring a change in regime, but how do you propose recalling him is going to bring in "good paying jobs with benefits," as if the current Mayor is anti-good paying jobs? It's illogical.
Posted 09:18 AM, 06/19/2009
Not sure if I'm misinterpreting the article, but it appears to me that these jobs are only short-term assignments for 18 months.
Posted 09:42 AM, 06/19/2009
Hey OMG - just like SquareWest, I want to know WHO you think will be able to "bring in" good paying jobs with benefits? They want to recall our Mayor, but they haven't proposed any solutions to the problems of Akron. Anyone can point out the problems, but without solutions - in the end you still have problems.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:43 AM, 06/19/2009
@ Old Man Grump - okay, who do you recommend be Mayor instead and what do you think they should do to bring more jobs into Akron? Add substance to your argument and maybe some of us will listen to you.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:34 AM, 06/19/2009
I suspect that the mayor is a poster on Ohio.com. I suspect he has already commented on this article.
akron, oh
Posted 12:55 PM, 06/19/2009
Inever read where the jobs were short term for 18 months?
Posted 01:02 PM, 06/19/2009
The startup company is seeking workers for a call center where employees will answer consumer questions in the health and communications field over the next 18 months.
akron, oh
Posted 01:11 PM, 06/19/2009
Doug,
I don't think someone would invest $3mil in a building to work for 18 months. That is the way it reads though. It could be that they are hiring for 18 months as they grow.
Akron, Oh
Posted 06:02 PM, 06/19/2009
GET OVER IT PEOPLE...the recall vote is nearing lets stick to the story...JOBS IN AKRON!
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:09 PM, 06/19/2009
OMG --
Please, people need jobs -- and if you read the article, these are not minimum wage jobs. Even the hero of the recall, Warner Mendenhall, called it a good thing. Please, unless you have something intelligent to say, please keep your grumpy old mouth shut!
KUDOS to PlusOne for bringing these jobs into Akron!
