Branson Chamber, Taney County Partnership to continue Puerto Rico Recruitment Efforts

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Hardinger, Taney County Partnership

(417) 243-2140 or hhardinger@taneycountypartnership.com

BRANSON, MO – The Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Taney County Partnership (TCP) plan to continue assisting local employers to recruit qualified individuals from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico through the Partnership’s OnPoint Talent Attraction Program. Planning for a mid-February recruiting events are underway.

Following Hurricane Maria, staff met with strategic partners in Puerto Rico in November to assess the future of Branson’s recruitment efforts for 2018. As conditions on the island continue to improve, the Chamber’s partners in Puerto Rico are excited about continuing recruiting efforts to Branson. Since launching the Puerto Rico recruiting efforts in 2017, collective efforts have attracted more than 200 qualified workers to fill seasonal jobs in the Branson market.

“We continue to be aggressive with the OnPoint Talent Attraction Program with a goal of striking a balance between placing qualified residents, J-1 students through the Summer Work & Travel Program and Puerto Rico recruits to fill more than 2,000 job openings”, said Jeff Seifried, President/CEO of the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB. “I am pleased to see our efforts having a positive impact in the Branson market.”

Per Puerto Rico law, any employer from mainland U.S. must be pre-approved and authorized to recruit from the island through the U.S. Department of Labor in Puerto Rico. Employers must also provide adequate housing and transportation options for each recruit, among other requirements. Chamber staff are available to advise employers in completing the necessary paperwork, understanding compliance regulations, and can assist in creating a recruitment plan, including identifying appropriate housing, transportation, and other amenities that help recruits feel at home in Branson.

Companies interested in recruiting individuals from Puerto Rico should contact the Branson Chamber for more information about the legal process and participating in upcoming recruitment events. Businesses in the Tri-Lakes area may also recruit through the Chamber’s partner in this effort, Kevin McConnell with Express Employment Professionals of Branson.

For more information about recruiting in Puerto Rico, please contact Heather Hardinger, Programs & Communications Director with Taney County Partnership at hhardinger@taneycountypartnership.com and visit www.onpointmo.com/Puerto-Rico.

To learn more about Puerto Rico recruitment through Express Employment Professionals of Branson, contact Kevin McConnell at kevin.mcconnell@expresspros.com.

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