Since its inception, TroupCountyWorks.com has seen potential Troup County employees mingling with regional employers. From municipalities to Kia suppliers, the number of jobs available and employers taking part are growing, along with the number of viable workers.

“The Web site went live on Oct. 13, and there’s been a lot going on with that,” Kay Durand, director of the county’s strategic planning center, told LaGrange City Council. “… I like to say that the Web site is enabling the possibilities because I see that every day with all the different kinds of things that the Web site can be used.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, 60 employers and 662 potential employees were listed for the Web site, which looks to put Troup County residents, as well as West Point residents of Harris County, in jobs.

Providing needed job-hunting tips as well as the ability to connect workers with employers, the Web site, created by local group Kelsey Advertising and Design, has seen the full support of local city councils and the County Commission.

“It’s more than just posting jobs,” said City Manager Tom Hall. “There’s job-search skills information, how to put a resume together, interview tips, a whole host of things to help folks.”

There are a few things Durand would like to see changed, both with the Web site and through public infrastructure.

Some residents still have difficulty accessing public computers that can utilize the Web site, and Durand is working on getting a link to Kia Motors Motors Manufacturing Georgia, which has its own Web sites for job applications, kiajobsingeorgia.com and kmmgusa.com.

Although totally online, information about the site has traveled more by word-of-mouth than anything else, Durand said. Some residents told her they registered at the suggestion of LaGrange city councilmen.

“Money well spent,” Councilman Willie Edmondson said of the program.

Mayor Jeff Lukken said: “The first initiative that this group wanted to do is workforce development. With that, they built this Web site that Kay’s talking about.”

Internships are still something Lukken wants to see implemented through the Web site, allowing high school students to learn a viable trade and earn cash while remaining in school.

“This will be a great prospecting tool for industries coming to town who can look at how many people we’ve got here that are qualified with Work Ready certification or other things right there on the Web site,” Lukken said.

Trey Wood can be reached at twood @ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.