The red ribbon was cut this morning at 10 a.m. in front of the doors of Express Employment Professionals' new 204 North Hervey office in Hope.

Franchise owner Joey Martin said Express would provide employers with ways of addressing their needs. "In today's tight labor supply, you know, recruiting or obtaining talent, and retaining talent is the name of the game. So we're that's what we do 24/7 recruiting candidates all over southwest Arkansas, northeast Texas," he said.

Those looking for work, Martin added, have a lot to choose from right now. "There's twice as many jobs as there are applicants. We have three times as many job openings as we did pre COVID."

Asked what sectors those jobs came from, Martin said, "Manufacturing positions, skilled labor, industrial maintenance,
electrical. We have some [openings in] skilled trades and forklift and CDL drivers."

Martin said the office in Hope is open to walk-ins on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but applicants for jobs can also search the company's website for openings and call in to start the application process and set up a meeting.

Jakob Martin, Recruiting and Intake Specialist, described the rewards of working at Express Employment: "Every day you get the chance to help somebody. So it's always a blessing to do that. I love it just because there's a chance to always meet somebody new as well."

Sheba's Restaurant did the catering for the coffee, providing breakfast casserole, avocado toast, ham and cheese sliders, banana pudding, devilled strawberries and other tasties with orange and pineapple juice.