The Franklin County Commission Tuesday approved a resolution to encourage the hiring of more military veterans.
Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution, which voices strong support for the initiatives of the Show-Me Heroes program.
That program encourages employers to reach out to Missouri veterans and provide them with increased employment interview and hiring opportunities.
The county joins more than 2,000 other employers who have taken the Show-Me Heroes pledge.
“I’d encourage other employers to look at this program,” Commissioner Terry Wilson, an Army veteran, said. “There are plenty of people who have served and they have valuable experience. Military training does help.”
A week ago Steve Weingart, a representative from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Division of Workforce Development, told commissioners about the 2-year-old program.
The state agency promotes the program and helps residents, including veterans, find employment.
“It doesn’t mean just because someone is a veteran, they’ll be hired,” Weingart said. “It means employers are aware of the need of veterans to find meaningful employment.”
Presiding Commissioner John Griesheimer said the county owed it to veterans to take part in the program.
“We will forever be indebted to the men and women who have protected our freedoms by serving in the armed forces of the United States,” Griesheimer said. “We also acknowledge that these men and women who put their country and state first possess incredible skills, experience and training which are an invaluable resource.”
Other area employers who have taken the pledge include RTI Tradco, the city of Washington, Cedarcrest Manor, Clemco Industries, First Student, Frick’s Quality Meats, Four Rivers Area Family YMCA, GH Tool & Mold, Grandview Healthcare, Intek, Lowe’s, Preferred Family Health Care, The UPS Store, Rexam and Sporlan.
Those employers are listed on the state’s website at showmeheroes.mo.gov.
County Counselor Mark Vincent said he drafted the resolution with the hope that it could easily be copied and adopted by other Franklin County employers.
