After Tyson Foods closure, job fair scheduled in Geneseo

In response to the sudden closure of the Tyson Foods beef processing facility in Joslin and the thousands of workers affected throughout the region, Hammond-Henry Hospital and the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a community job fair, a news release says.

The job fair will be 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Hammond-Henry Hospital’s first floor conference room, 600 N. College Ave., Geneseo.

The event is being organized on an accelerated timeline to connect displaced workers and other area job seekers with employers that have immediate and upcoming hiring needs. The Tyson closure represents the loss of one of the region’s largest concentrations of manufacturing jobs. Its impact is expected to extend throughout the Quad Cities region and surrounding communities, including Geneseo and Henry County.

“Our first thought when we heard the news was 'How can we use our network to help?'" said Lindsie Akers, executive director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. “There are thousands of people who unexpectedly need to figure out what comes next, and at the same time, we know businesses throughout our community have struggled to find employees. We want to bring those two groups together as quickly as possible and hopefully keep as many of these talented workers and their families in our area as we can.”

The job fair will give job seekers an opportunity to meet directly with employers, learn about available positions, and possibly apply for jobs onsite. The event is free and open to all job seekers, not only former Tyson employees. No advance registration is required, but it is recommended for planning purposes. Register here.

Employers from a variety of industries will participate. Workers affected by the closure bring experience across manufacturing and production as well as maintenance, skilled trades, logistics, warehousing, quality control, transportation, administration, management, and other fields.

At Hammond-Henry Hospital, for example, there are immediate non-clinical openings in environmental services, nutrition services, front office, materials, rehab support, and accounting, as well as clinical roles for Certified Athletic Trainers, RNs, LPNs, and lab technologists (MLT/MLS). Stephanie DeMay, Hammond-Henry Hospital marketing manager, encouraged all interested job seekers to participate.

“If it’s been a long time since someone last applied for a job, feeling nervous or uncertain is totally natural. My advice is simple: just come as you are," DeMay said. "Employers know that career transitions can be challenging, and they’re eager to answer questions and support next steps,” she said. “Keep in mind that many of these roles offer on-the-job training, so limited experience isn’t a deal-breaker. Applicants don’t need to have everything figured out before they walk in, making that first step is all it takes.”

Geneseo Chamber member businesses with current or upcoming openings are encouraged to participate in the job fair and should contact the chamber as soon as possible for participation information.

“This is about our community coming together at a time when thousands of our neighbors are facing uncertainty,” Akers said. “If your business has jobs available, we want you there. If you’re looking for work, we want you there. Our hope is that we can turn an incredibly difficult situation into new connections and new opportunities.”

The deadline for businesses to register is Friday, Aug. 21. Space is limited, so employers are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Both businesses and job seekers interested in participating can register here.

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