Kearney, Neb. (July 2, 2009) A new website dedicated to employment in the Kearney area, providing a win-win situation for employers, potential employees and former area residents looking to return to the Kearney area, has launched and is loaded with job opportunities.

The website, KearneyAreaJobs.com, is designed to provide a comprehensive listing of jobs available in the Kearney area, while allowing individuals seeking employment to place resumes and current information on the site. "The site allows individuals seeking specific job classifications to submit their resumes to area employers looking to fill positions in specific job classifications," according to Nikki Masek, Buffalo County Economic Development Workforce Development Specialist.

KearneyAreaJobs.com is sponsored by Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Initiative and Buffalo County Economic Development Council. The site is primarily funded through a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act (BECA) grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

"The Kearney Workforce Development Initiative considered the current economic market impacting the labor force, as well as the future needs of employers and families, and determined that the creation of this type of website would be very effective," according to Bruce Blankenship, Co-Chairman of the Workforce Development Initiative.

Project partners include Buffalo County, the City of Kearney, Good Samaritan Hospital, the Kearney Visitor's Bureau and the Kearney Area Community Foundation. Partnering area communities include Minden, Gibbon, Ravenna, Amherst, Pleasanton and Elm Creek.

The website will be introduced to alumni and former residents of the area through a direct mail effort. The nearly 12,000 targeted graduates are from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Kearney High, Kearney Catholic High and high school graduates from Minden, Gibbon, Ravenna, Amherst, Pleasanton and Elm Creek. Alumni will receive a post card mailing within 30 days of the website launch to introduce the website and encourage those former residents to return to the area to live, work and raise their families.

"This direct mail piece promoting the new website launch will be the fourth direct mail piece the targeted graduates have received in the last 18 months. Previous direct mail pieces centered on quality of life assets that the Kearney area offers," Masek said.

Masek explained the site has five main sections. "Working in Kearney" includes a search portal for job seekers to search jobs and submit resumes, view an employer directory, find information about education and training, and locate professional organizations. High school and college students will also be able to search for internship opportunities.

The "Moving to Kearney" section is tailored to families looking to move to Kearney. It includes information about homes and real estate, taxes, utilities, and banking in the area, as well as a cost of living indicator and relocation and transportation information.

The "Living in Kearney" section displays information regarding everyday life in Kearney and contains information about area schools, government, healthcare, childcare, local media and churches.

The "Playing in Kearney" section contains information about the quality of life that the area offers for families and individuals. There is information about arts and entertainment, recreational activities, and festivals and attractions in and around Kearney.

There is also an "Area Communities" section that contains information on working, moving, living, and recreation in Elm Creek, Gibbon, Minden and Ravenna.

Additional features the site offers include Kearney area videos showcasing the amenities in the area, and ePostcards that will allow local residents to send an electronic postcard to friends and family who may be interested in moving back to the area.

"The postcard will direct the recipient to the website and will assist us with the local recruitment effort," Masek said. Future features will include an "Alumni Center" that will assist area alumni in locating their classmates, as well as reunion events.