Free community event expected to bring together more than 80 employers, local job seekers
By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Job seekers looking for new employment opportunities will have the chance to meet with dozens of local employers during the Beaufort County Job Fair on Saturday, June 6, at the Highway 21 Drive-In in Beaufort.
Hosted by Higgins Family Brands, the free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 55 Parker Drive and is expected to bring together more than 80 employers from a variety of industries, along with prospective employees from across Beaufort County and the Lowcountry.
The event was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was postponed because of weather concerns.
According to Jake Higgins, owner of Higgins Family Brands, the idea for the job fair grew out of conversations with residents and business owners facing economic challenges, as well as a desire to use the drive-in’s property as a gathering place for the community.
“I keep seeing all the people that are going through tough times and the cost of things,” Higgins said. “A lot of people want a new job or a second job or just a different job.”
Using the Highway 21 Drive-In’s 10-acre property, Higgins said he wanted to create a space where employers and job seekers could connect face-to-face rather than through online applications alone.
“We got about 85 employers who committed to coming,” Higgins said. “We’ve had over 1,000 messages from residents and all kinds of people who said they were excited to attend and couldn’t wait to see the opportunities.”
Employers expected to participate range from military recruiters and law enforcement agencies to private businesses, cleaning companies, car dealerships, real estate professionals, pool companies and retail employers. Higgins said the goal is to showcase a broad range of opportunities for people at different stages of their careers.
In addition to meeting with employers, attendees will have access to free hot dogs, drinks and admission. The event will also feature music, bounce houses, games and a dedicated children’s area.
Higgins said the family-friendly setup was intentional.
“We wanted to take away the burden of trying to watch your kid when you’re trying to grab an application and talk to a business recruiter,” he said.
For those planning to attend, Higgins encourages job seekers to come prepared with resumes, necessary documents and a professional appearance.
“I would tell anyone, bring your best. Look your best,” Higgins said. “Really make your first impression.”
He said one of the advantages of an in-person job fair is the opportunity for employers and applicants to meet one another directly.
“Every decision in a company, an agency or a corporation is made by a human being,” Higgins said. “A simple first impression can make a difference.”
Beyond helping people find jobs, Higgins said he hopes the event serves as a way to strengthen the community by connecting residents with new opportunities and helping local employers find qualified workers.
“We’re not going to arrest ourselves out of our problems in society,” Higgins said. “But as employers and business people and good exampled people, we can encourage others to be their best.”
If the event is successful, Higgins said he hopes to continue offering similar opportunities in the future whenever there is a need to bring employers and job seekers together.
The Beaufort County Job Fair is free and open to the public.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.