That was 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. 2, the U.S. Department of Labor reported in its Jobs Report that 353,000 nonfarm jobs were added in the nation in January and the unemployment rate was holding steady at 3.7%.

The DOL reported gains in certain sectors of the economy, including retail stores, health care, and professional and business services. Still, some local businesses are finding it difficult to find employees.

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 6 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, job openings will be offered by more than 30 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 is being published in the March 1 issue of the News and the March 2 issue of the Enterprise.

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