NATCHEZ — Natchez, Inc. will hold a job fair from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Natchez Convention Center to help local industries find employees needed with ongoing expansions at two local industries, officials said.

Expansions at Great River Industries and Jones Companies are expected to create 60 new jobs with an economic impact of $3 million in annual payroll and an additional 85 indirect jobs with a payroll of $2,720,000, said Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez, Inc.

Russ said other industries that have openings also would be represented at the job fair, including Von Drehle, Delta Energy, CoreCivic and the WIN Job Center representatives will be on hand to put prospective employees into their database.

Russ said available jobs at the companies include office workers, welders, CDL truck drivers and more.

Russ said people interested in jobs should bring a resume and any certifications they might possession including certificates earned through Work Keys assessment tests.

In the coming months, Great River Industries is expected to invest another $1.5 million into their Natchez facility creating an additional 20 new jobs, Russ said.

Great River Industries, which offers metal fabrication, construction and maintenance to facilities around the country, first located to Natchez as Enersteel in 2011, Russ said.

Since the company’s beginning, it has grown to more than 350 employees and is still growing.

“This expansion of our shop, yard and improved access road will allow us to add jobs and continue to provide value to our customers,” said Kenny Lawson, president of Great River Industries. “We are proud to continue to grow and expand here in Natchez and Adams County.”

Russ said Jones Companies also is in the midst of an expansion with the acquisition of the Rives & Reynolds Lumber facility in 2018. Since then Jones Companies has expanded its capabilities at their Natchez Facility to include crane mat construction, as well as additions to their lumber drying operations, Russ said.

With this expansion, Jones will invest an additional $15 million in the Natchez facility while adding 40 more jobs, Russ said.

“We continue to welcome Jones Companies to our area and their growth and future plans for the facility is phenomenal,” Russ said. “I cannot stress enough the importance of existing business and industry growth.”

Jones company officials said they are excited about the company’s future in Natchez.

“Jones Lumber Company is looking forward to our growth in Natchez and our investment in and expansion of our facility indicates our commitment to the area,” said Chad Ervin, CFO Jones Companies. “We continue to provide our customers with the quality products they need and hire valuable team members.  Our expansion is important to us and the area.”

Russ said he is proud of the companies’ commitment to the area.

“We are proud of these past efforts and extremely pleased that these companies continue to make investments in our area and choose to grow our own labor force,” Russ said. “Since 2010, Natchez, Inc. has worked diligently to bring the Natchez and Vidalia region quality jobs for its citizens. Over 600 new jobs have been created and $947 million have been invested by 10 new industries in our area.”

For more information on the Aug. 29 job fair, call Natchez, Inc. at 601-445-0288.