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County launches rapid response and job fair after Spreckels sugar plant layoffs; Aug. 8 hiring event planned
Summary
Imperial County workforce officials held two on‑site rapid response sessions for dislocated Spreckels employees, reported roughly 400 direct and about 600 indirect jobs affected, and announced an Aug. 8 job fair at Imperial Valley Mall to connect displaced workers with employers.
Imperial County workforce and economic development staff told the Board of Supervisors on July 22 that they are running rapid response outreach and planning a large job fair to assist employees displaced by the closure of the Spreckels sugar plant.
Priscilla Lopez, director of the county’s Workforce and Economic Development Office, described two rapid response sessions held July 18 using a mobile unit and partners including the Imperial Irrigation District, the office of U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz, California Employment Development Department, Department of Social Services, Center for Employment Training and the Imperial Valley Food Bank. Lopez said roughly 400 direct jobs and about 600 indirect jobs are affected by the plant closure; about 150 dislocated workers signed in at the July 18 events.
Lopez said staff distributed resources on unemployment insurance, social services and food assistance, and worked with Spreckels to host a small internal job fair; she said the county’s first public job fair for displaced workers is set for Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Imperial Valley Mall. “Any live job that's available, we would like to have it present,” Lopez said.
Javier Duran, a new analyst with the workforce board, said the county has seen more WARN notices in the last month and a half than during the pandemic period and that the department is actively reaching out to local and regional employers to recruit opportunities for affected workers. Carlos Lopez, site supervisor for business services, said 17 people attended a small employer outreach session seeking to keep local roots.
Board members praised the rapid response work and urged continued outreach and coordination with regional partners, economic development groups and labor organizations. Supervisor Martha Kalena Singh said county staff have been “nimble and very proactive” and encouraged public information coordination with the county PIO. Several supervisors asked workforce staff to return with placement metrics after the Aug. 8 event.
The county also reported logistical supports: the food bank donated six bins of watermelons that were distributed to workers, and the workforce office said the county has launched a Facebook page for event information under “America's Job Center in Imperial County.”
County staff said the situation remains fluid and reiterated an invitation to supervisors and community partners to attend the next rapid response session scheduled for the Thursday following the meeting.
