$92 million investment means jobs at ConAgra

While some companies in Arkansas are laying off workers and shutting down, ConAgra Foods in Russellville is on the verge of multi-million dollar investment project. This project is expected to bring in about 75 new jobs. Even though the jobs won't be available until next year, this gives those looking for jobs hope that the economy is turning around. Job prospects in the Russellville area are looking up.

ConAgra Foods announced plans to invest $92 million in technology and upgrades at the Russellville plant. This will add about 75 new jobs to the existing workforce of 1300. That's news James Bowden can use. Bowden has a son he's raising alone and right now times are tough. He got laid off nine months ago and hasn't found a job yet.
 
"Nobody is hiring," he says. "You call people up. Part time jobs ain't even much, a day here, a day there."

Bowden relies on unemployment insurance to take care of his son. Monday he was at the Department of Workforce Services in Russellville to collect his check and see if he can get a line on a job, but he's not alone.

"We've had a lot of layoffs and at this point Russellville is at 176 percent having more claims than this time last year, so unemployment insurance is up," says Amber Mullis with the department.

Mullis says 75 jobs won't solve the unemployment problem but adds it's a start.  "That's a very good number and you start off with 75 at one plant and then it can expand to others," Mullis said. "I think that's great 75 is very good for our area."

Bowden agrees but realizes the competition for those jobs is steep.  "I've been here at the unemployment office for two hours and there's still 15 people ahead of me in line so those 75 jobs are going to go real quick."

Bowden isn't quitting his job hunt yet but he hopes when the time comes he's one of the lucky ones to land a job with ConAgra.