By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Workforce has changed. It’s been that way for years, but the difficulty
of finding qualified employees heightened during and following the COVID-19
pandemic. Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Megan Barfield said many larger
employers and manufacturers in town are looking beyond county and state lines
to find workers. While the company goes through the interview process for the
job details, the Chamber can assist with welcoming the prospects to the area
and attractions.
"If employers know someone that is thinking about moving or they are moving, they can call the Chamber and we can give them a relocation packet," said Barfield. "The packet has information to help connect them to community resources...things like where to get your utilities but also things to see and do."
Barfield noted many times the person applying for the job is excited about the
move if the assignment and pay are right, but sometimes the spouse coming along
can hinder the recruitment if he or she is not in love with the Great Bend
landscape and culture. Barfield said she recently took the spouse of an engineer interviewee for a tour around town, answering questions about the area’s
nature, healthcare and entertainment.
"She really like that our downtown was very Hallmark-esque," said Barfield. "If you live here, I don't think you see that or think about that. She couldn't believe how big our courthouse was and the square, and then I told her about all things that happen throughout the year down there. It's that small-town feel, but you're not out in the middle of nowhere with no access to anything."
Barfield encouraged employers to reach out to the Chamber if they need
assistance in recruitment.