That’s bad news for employers but good news for prospective employees; more job openings are available and hourly pay rates have increased in order to attract more applicants.

There’s definitely a need to connect employers with job seekers, and that’s why the Lake Placid News and Adirondack Daily Enterprise continue to host a Job Fair each spring at North Country Community College.

“If you or someone you know is looking for a new job or just a change in their present position, they should not miss this job fair,” said Lindsay Munn, advertising manager for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise and Lake Placid News.

On Feb. 3, the U.S. Department of Labor reported in its Jobs Report that 517,000 jobs were added in the nation in January and the unemployment rate was 3.4%, the lowest since May 1969.

“With 12.1 million jobs added since President Biden took office and a monthly average of 356,000 jobs over the past three months, we began 2023 with more strong, steady job growth that benefits workers and their families,” the DOL stated.

The DOL reported “notable gains” in certain sectors of the economy, including restaurants and bars, retail stores, health care facilities, professional and business offices, and construction.

Still, with this glowing report from the government, skewed to make the current administration look favorable in the eyes of voters, it looks great on paper. But on “Main Street,” when it comes to actually finding people to fill the open jobs, it is much more difficult. The labor pains are still there, no matter what the Jobs Report says.

Jen Mihill, co-owner of Boyer Septic, told the News last April that demand for her company’s services is growing, but they don’t have the employees to keep up. The housing crisis affects the workforce since housing prices are usually beyond the means of a family in Lake Placid.

Where have all the employees gone? That’s the “million dollar question,” Mihill said: “We just keep saying we have no idea where the people went. It just seems like everybody is struggling.”

The News, Enterprise and NCCC hope to take some of those labor pains away from local small business owners with this year’s Job Fair. It will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 1 at the NCCC Sparks Athletic Complex in Saranac Lake. This event — the largest job fair in the North Country — is free and open to the public.

During the event, more than 100 job openings will be offered by 45 businesses from around the Adirondack North Country region, from entry level positions to managerial career opportunities.

Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resume and be prepared to be interviewed on the spot. If people can’t make this event, they can see all the positions available in the special “Get the Job” issue that will be published in the News on Feb. 24. and the Enterprise on Feb. 25.

“The demand is high for job applicants,” said Munn, who can be reached at 518-891-2600, ext. 20, for more information.