The response from the community to Thursday’s career fair at Unified Brands proves people want a good job with a high-paying wage.

And from the reaction of Unified Brands officials, they were pleasantly surprised by the turnout as they seek to fill positions at their new facility in the Ceres Industrial Park.

“It’s been fantastic,” Unified Brands human resources director Angie Owens said. “We had a line of 115 people waiting at the door before 9 a.m., and within just a couple of hours, we’ve logged in a couple of 100 people. We’ve extended some offers today.”

Company officials were looking primarily for people with welding, fabrication, assembly and sheet metal skills at Thursday’s job fair. Owens said the company plans to have a total of 100 positions filled by the end of the year, and Unified Brands is expected to hold another job fair sometime in the fall.

The company begins operations Oct. 1.

Unified Brands opened Aug. 25 with a special ceremony. The company is transferring work to Warren County from company locations in Oklahoma, Michigan and Byram, and also plans new product launches. Owens said workers from the company’s Byram and Oklahoma plants will be relocating to the county.

Once completely staffed, Unified Brands is expected to employ 425 people.

That’s quite a shot in the arm economically for our community and proves, once again, that Vicksburg-Warren County is on the right path in creating job growth.

That’s a credit to our economic and business leaders who are committed to providing job opportunities that will raise the standard of living in our area.

Now that the word is about our incredible quality of life and that Vicksburg and Warren County are ready to go to bat to bring new manufacturing development here, we trust more will follow Unified Brands.