Hire a Hero Initiative: Veterans Job Fair Nov. 17

A “Hire a Hero” job fair for service men and women returning from overseas looking to re-enter the workforce will be held Nov. 17 in Yonkers.

A diverse range of over 60 tri-state area employers, including Con Edison and Konica Minolta, will be on hand to find new talent among the hundreds of veterans slated to attend.

New York State has one of the highest veteran population rates in the country with more than 800,000 veterans living within the state’s borders. That number almost doubles when combining the number of veterans living in New Jersey and Connecticut, many of whom are in need of stable work, organizers said.

Veterans from all over the tri-state metro area are encouraged to attend and apply for the hundreds of positions that will be up for grabs.

• WHAT: Veterans Job Fair
• WHEN: 1-6 p.m. Nov. 17
• WHERE: the third floor Good Time Room at Empire City Casino

The men and women who have bravely served in our armed forces will have the opportunity to network, interview and engage with employers from all sectors of industry, organizers said.

The employers signed up and the industries represented include:

• Business/IT: Cintas Corporation, Konica Minolta, Ricoh USA
• Construction/Utilities: Con Edison, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, Murphy Brothers Contracting, Durante Rentals, Suez NA, Celtic Building Supplies
• Cultural Institutions: New York Public Library
• Financial Services/Banking: Tompkins Mahopac Bank, Santander Bank, Prudential Financial, New York Life, New York Community Bank
• Government: US Customs and Border Protection, Department of Civil Service
• Hospitality: Westchester Marriott, Empire City Casino
• Law Enforcement: Yonkers Fire Department, Yonkers Police Department, FDNY, Metropolitan Correctional Center New York
• Non-Profit/Small Business: Search for Change, R.A.I.N. Total Care, San Signs & Awnings, GoodTemps Staffing
• Retail/Supermarkets: Duane Reade, Shoprite Supermarket, Home Depot, H&M
• Transportation: 511NY Rideshare, Advance Transit Co, Metro-North, GVC TLD Bus and Transit, Empress Ambulance Services, Empire Harley-Davidson, Liberty Lines

The veterans-only job fair is hosted by Empire City Casino and the City of Yonkers Department of Veterans Services. Empire City Casino is underwriting the cost of the job fair for hiring employers to encourage businesses of all sizes to participate.

“We owe these young men and women a debt we’ll never be able to repay,” said Timothy Rooney, owner and operator of Empire City Casino. “This is our way of saying thank you and our way of giving other employers a way to show their gratitude as well.”

In addition to the discipline, dedication and tireless work ethic that veterans possess, there are many benefits in hiring a veteran for employers. Employers may be eligible for thousands of dollars in several state and/or federal tax incentives depending on the hire and type of position.

“The ‘Hire a Hero’ Veteran’s Job Fair is going to be a special day in Yonkers," said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. "Veterans of all ages will be afforded the opportunity to meet representatives from both the public and private sector. We are grateful to Empire City Casino for partnering with us on this venture as we aim to secure as many jobs as possible for veterans looking for work. Our military veterans have served our country well – this is a wonderful opportunity for the Yonkers community to now serve them."

For more information on the Veterans Job Fair and to pre-register, please visit EmpireCityCasino.com/Veterans. Veterans must present their DD214 or military identification, along with a valid government-issued photo ID, to participate in the job fair.