Champaign Economic Partnership Hosts Festive Community Career Fair

Marcia Bailey
Champaign Economic Partnership

The Sutphen Corporation display at the Champaign County Career Fair included a fire truck manufactured by the company and drawings of a manufacturing facility the company recently announced it will build in Urbana to consolidate operations from three facilities, while retaining all 160 jobs and adding 20 to 25 new positions.

The Champaign Economic Partnership (CEP) and partnering organizations provided about 20 Champaign County employers an opportunity to recruit prospects for numerous careers in a festive outdoor setting, on the former Urbana University campus.

The Champaign County Career Fair shared the spotlight and campus with a youth football camp led by Ohio State University football legends Braxton Miller and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, with the support of several of their teammates and former OSU coach Jim Tressel.

The event included food trucks, musical entertainment and an autograph session with former Ohio State stars, along with the opportunity to observe Miller and Smith’s Charg1ng Heisman Elite Football Camp.

“We are grateful for the opportunity provided us by Braxton, Troy and Charg1ng Heisman Elite to support our local employers and help them recruit critically needed employees in a wide range of skilled and entry level positions,” CEP Director Marcia Bailey said.  Champaign County’s job posting site ChampaignWorks.com, OhioMeansJobs Champaign County, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and Rittal joined the CEP and Charg1ng Heisman Elite Football Camp in hosting the career fair.

The Career Fair employers included Sutphen Corporation, the nation’s largest family-owned and operated fire truck manufacturer, which recently announced plans to build a 160,000-square-foot facility in Urbana, consolidating operations of three manufacturing and service sites – and retaining 160 existing jobs and adding 20 to 25 more positions.

“We’re excited to become more a part of Champaign County,” said Sutphen recruiter Gennie Hayes, who said the company currently has 25 open positions to fill.

Tom Coles, Vice President of Human Resources for Bundy Baking Solutions, said the company, which makes commercial bakeware and equipment, is recruiting for 15 opportunities in Urbana and recently filled all 35 positions for a newly created third shift to meet growing demand.

The other employers at the Career Fair included Advanced Technology Products, Champaign Residential Services, Inc., H&R Block, The Hall Company, JRS USA, KTH Parts Industries, Inc., Memorial Health, Mercy Health, PDS Tech Inc., Old Souls Farm, Orbis Corp., Rittal, Sycamore House, True Inspection Services, Ultra-met, Urbana Police Division and U.S. Navy.