MILTON -- A factory that made rail cars up until 2009 plans to reopen in Northumberland County and ACF Industries is looking to hire around 250 people.
The company held a job fair Tuesday near Milton.
Just two hours into this morning's job fair, organizers said more than 100 people showed up to fill out applications. ACF Industries plans to hire welders, forklift operators, painters and more.
We found about a dozen people filling out applications at the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce in Northumberland County while more people waited outside. They all had one goal in mind: to get a job at ACF Industries in Milton.
ACF Industries produces rail cars and has been in Milton since the 1800s. There's been no work inside the plant since 2009 but that should soon change.
The chamber of commerce says ACF Industries worked out new contracts and hopes to hire 250 people.
"Welders, painters, electrical maintenance, overhead crane operators, things like that," said workforce manager Terry Kremer.
Kevin Raup worked for ACF Industries in 2008 he hopes the company will rehire him.
"You get a big factory that's able to open back up in Milton. Everybody's going and hopefully they can work back in their home town again."
The people applying for these jobs say they are excited for the possibility of a high-paying job in their near future. They also believe it will be a big boost for the local economy in Milton.
"I know it's a good-paying job, and I need a good-paying job right now," said John McLaughlin. "I'm laid off. I need to move on with my life."
"I don't live far from any of the jobs and there are a lot of opportunities becoming available all of a sudden and it's really good to hear," Pearl added.
"I've grown up in this area and known people all of my life who have counted on this industry for their well-being and the well-being of their families," said Kremer.
ACF Industries did not say when the plant in Milton will reopen.
If you are interested in applying for one of the jobs, there is another job fair Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Careerlink in Sunbury.