Job Fair Brings Hope, Excitement

Human Resources workers interview Chelsea residents John Rosado (foreground) and "Jimmy" (back) at the Feb. 6 job fair for Chelsea residents seeking work at the upcoming hotel projects.

Human Resources workers interview Chelsea residents John Rosado (foreground) and “Jimmy”
(back) at the Feb. 6 job fair for Chelsea residents seeking work at the upcoming hotel
projects.

With the groundbreaking of the new Holiday Inn on Beech Street just months away, contractors began looking for workers – and due to an agreement between the City and the developers – the search started in Chelsea.

A job fair seeking Chelsea residents to work on the Holiday Inn and Towne Suites hotel projects took place at City Hall Thursday, Feb. 6, and it brought out a good amount of interested residents who have experience and were looking for a good job close by.

“I’ve worked in the construction field for a long time and I’m seeking employment right now so this fit,” John Rosado told the Record. “It being in Chelsea makes it so much better. I’ve been in Chelsea 48 years, I’m a resident and my family owns property here. They’re finally giving people in Chelsea the first chance to get these jobs. I think it’s great. If it’s being built in Chelsea, Chelsea people should be building it.”

That same sentiment was shared by a long time resident who identified himself only as Jimmy.

He said he moved to Chelsea from New York City in 1969, and found lots of opportunities initially, but has found the recent downturn to make things rather tough for him and others in the construction field.

When he heard of an opportunity to work locally, he said he was really excited and applied for jobs related to HVAC and carpentry.

“I’m a resident here and I have two kids,” he said. “I’m 53 and I was so happy to open up the paper and see an opportunity to work in my hometown. It’s good news Chelsea is doing this. I remember the days when it was good for employment in Chelsea, but then it changed for years. For a long time, we haven’t had this in Chelsea and it’s been very dry here for jobs. It’s really been hard to find work. This is an awesome opportunity though, and Chelsea is really changing. I’m glad they’re letting us get a shot at these jobs.”

Construction on both hotels is believed to be just around the corner, with a tentatively planned April 1 ribbon cutting ceremony for the Towne Suites on Eastern Avenue. The Holiday Inn site is currently being remediated of polluted soil, but should be ready for construction this summer. Both projects will offer several construction jobs for local workers.

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